VOLUME 12 ISSUE 11 by The SUN Newspaper

MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

Website: www.suntci.com

VOLUME 12 - NO. 11

Email: sun@suntci.com

Tel: (649) 339-5879

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Fax: (649) 941-3281

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TOP TCI PROSECUTOR UNDER INVESTIGATION

Oseta Jolly “Jaguars” wins Inter Primary Track & Field Classics 2016

The Oseta Jolly Primary School won the Inter Primary Track & Field Classics where they defeated the various other primary schools in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Turks and Caicos Islands Inter Primary Track & Field Classics was held at the National Stadium in Providenciales between Monday March 14th and Tuesday March 15th. This year has been the largest number of schools participating in any one local Track & Field meet and for this the Department is grateful.

by Hayden Boyce Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

The Integrity Commission has launched a major investigation into Mr. John Masters, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) whose spending habits, hiring practices and management style have created a stormy relationship with his staff and engaged the attention of the Governor and members of both sides of the House of Assembly. Investigations by The SUN revealed that the investigation has been underway since January 2016, but there appears to have been efforts

CFO post to be abolished - Page 5

Police probing death of teenager in South Caicos - Page 2

to keep it a closed guarded secret. When this newspaper contacted Dave Moore, Head of the Governor’s Office, asking if it was true that Masters was placed on suspension pending an investigation by the Integrity Commission. He responded by email saying: “I’m afraid that you have been informed incorrectly. The DPP has not been suspended and is on normal annual leave.” However, reliable sources told The SUN that Masters leave did in fact followed a barrage of formal complaints from staff and other Government officials about the DPP who has been

spending several thousands of dollars contacted by the Integrity Commission hiring consultants who are believed to but I believe that members of the be his close friends. Office of the DPP have been spoken to. When this newspaper wrote I add at this time it was with my full Eugene Otuonye, QC, the Director encouragement that they cooperate with of the Integrity to ask about the the Integrity Commission whatever investigation into Masters, he would their investigation is about. I take this only say: “I am however not able to opportunity to say that it comes as no comment on the queries you raised surprise that such a complaint has therein at this time.” been made because I have made a lot However, Masters himself of changes to unsatisfactory practices confirmed that he is under investigation. that have become entrenched in the He told the SUN, via email: “I start by Office of the DPP (ODPP). There has simply stating that whilst I know that been a culture of internal bullying and there is an investigation taking place self-interest by a few members of staff with the Integrity Commission I do and I emphasise: only a few members not know any details. I have not been of staff.

Chef Nik organising first food and culture festival - Page 14 Less cruise ships and passengers going to Grand Turk - Page 6

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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LOCAL NEWS

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TOP TCI PROSECUTOR UNDER INVESTIGATION

The bulk of the staff, both administrative and lawyers, is professional. I am proud and feel privileged to be working with them.” He added: “Some of the matters that I have been forced to address are frankly unbelievable for an institution that should attract the respect and confidence of the community. It has undoubtedly become apparent to those opposing change that it is going to happen unless I can somehow be undermined or made scared of reprisals unless I back down. But let me tell you, I do not react to threats.” MASTERS WANTS TO SPEND LIKE SIPT Meantime, The SUN obtained an email which Masters wrote to Chief Financial Officer Stephen Turnbull stating that he wanted spending powers that would allow him to “work on the same basis as the SIPT (Special Investigations and Prosecution Team). In that email, Masters wrote: “I am trying to resolve this pragmatically. Stephen, am I going to have to spend thousands briefing senior counsel to get legal advice on this? I cannot continue working it in this fashion. I am contemplating Contracting with an accounting firm to do a complete risk assessment on the financials of the ODPP. Again, this seems such a waste of resources if we can resolve it ourselves. Stating the obvious, I cannot sec the logic in accepting that the system cannot work for the SIPT but can work for us. We are speaking of discretionary spending of only tens of thousands of dollars. To give an example, if we had decided to pursue the recent prosecution or the Secretary for finance, for me to go to conferences with counsel would have necessitated me disclosing that fact to people who should not have known. I have like circumstances at the moment and am forced to disclose it. What if by the way, the person above says no, I will not approve it - do I drop the action?” He added: “I am getting so many hurdles thrown in front

of me that do not allow me to do my job. For example I personally guaranteed an apartment because hotels will not deal with us and I have witnesses from overseas sitting in car parks with nowhere to stay. I have had to provide $3600 of my own money by way of ’ security and l have been waiting since last June for my business case to enter into a lease and what happens if they say no. Do I start dropping prosecutions because we cannot accommodate witnesses? Do I stop projects because we cannot house consultants? I have a professional and consultancy budget where I could easily restrict spending to $2000 per month on accommodation but am forced to use hotels which charge $9000 per month and refuse to do it on purchase order - how am I meant to pay for those. I am using my own credit card because of systems and then told that I have to go through a ridiculous process to claim it back. I am waiting for months for reimbursement to the extent that I have lost track of what I am owed.” UPSET ABOUT GET PERMISSION FROM DEPUTY GOVERNOR In another email, Masters complained about having to get certain permission from Deputy Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams. He wrote: “Is it Ok for me to get the approval of an internal second tier for my own expenses because it is becoming a real pain to have to write the Deputy Governor. The exercise of signing off is meant to be verification of the expense and not a source to question my authority to incur the expense. It has worked in the past and for some reason someone has formed the view that it needs to be more complicated. I recently spoke to the Officer of the DPP in the UK about how things are done and got a raised brow. My discretionary budget is only in the vicinity of $250K and I have to waste so much time unnecessary red tape. Will someone please advise your people to approve expenditure when there is second level sign off from a

DPP John Masters member of staff. I am about to incur an expense for a covert/conflicted prosecution and the only way I can do it is to blow the cover. I need to do continuing legal education points to maintain a practicing certificate and again it is a major exercise.”

concerned in the slightest because contrary to what the few in the ODPP believe, they are not better than the rest of the world merely because they are lawyers, they will treat nonlawyers with respect in our office, they will come into work on time and every time that they are told to do MUCH TO TELL THE something that they do not like, it is INTERGRITY COMMISSSION not an attack of disrespect towards them.” In his detailed response to He added: “One thing is for The SUN, Masters added: “I have sure, my aim is to make the ODPP a much to tell the Integrity Commission world class prosecution service and a and I am confident that they will centre of excellence for the Caribbean not be fooled by any diversionary and if it is believed that my focus tactic. Until now I have basically can be diverted by the threat of a kept to myself, I always fly economy, complaint, they have learnt nothing I never ask to be taken to the front in the last 12 months. of any lines at the airport, I have This conduct, I must add, is been searched regularly at the airport restricted to only a few of my staff but and never divulge my position on the enough of them to disrupt the office. I island because it is irrelevant. In take this opportunity to apologise to fact whenever I return to TCI, border the bulk of my staff, who do their job control do not even recognize me and so well, for the need to divulge this. ask me my purpose for being on the However, the alternative is that the island: that is the way that it should be. public would get a completely skewed I do, however, believe in transparency version of the realty. I promise to and if it becomes necessary for any continue on the path and vision I reason for my actions to be made have planned and yes, there are still public, I am not some major changes to come.”

Police investigating death of female teenager in South Caicos Investigators of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are investigating the death of Teketra Serenity Elliott, a 16-year-old female on South Caicos. According to police spokesman Kevin Clarke, at around 4:21pm on Monday 14th March 2016, police officers responded to a home on Swann Street, where the father of the deceased was met and stated that he last spoke with his daughter around 8 p.m. the night before (Sunday 13th March) prior to her going to bed. Clarke said the following morning at 7:30am the father left

home for work leaving his daughter in her room sleeping. “Upon his return home at 4pm the same day he found his daughter unresponsive. Medical personnel arrived on scene some time later and were unable to revive the female. She was pronounced dead at 4:51pm. A post mortem will be conducted to confirm the cause of death,” Clarke said, adding that enquiries are ongoing. Clarke said police have also launched an investigation into a report where a male was brutally beaten on Grand Turk.

On Saturday 12th March 2016 at 2:55 a.m., police officers responded to the Members Only Club where it was reported that a male was laying on the ground with blood over his body. On arrival officers met the man leaning on a vehicle with what appeared to be blood over his clothing and multiple injuries about his body. He was taken to the Cockburn Town Medical Centre and later flown to Nassau, The Bahamas due to the seriousness of injuries sustained. Clarke said the victim is still in Nassau and is in stable condition.

Teketra Serenity Elliott 16 year old South Caicos Teen

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MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

CMY

4:37 PM

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

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MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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LOCAL NEWS

Gov’t’s Chief Financial Officer post to be abolished

The controversial post of Chief Financial Officer (CFO), which is currently held by Stephen Turnbull, will be made redundant. Minister of Finance, Hon. Washington Misick made the announcement in the House of Assembly while delivering the budget speech on Thursday, March 17th. Misick said the CFO Ordinance will also be made redundant. “This achievement confirms that we are regaining autonomy to govern and direct our own affairs. That is Progress and we are intent upon ‘Continuing the Progress’,” said Misick in what was the first Budget presented since the Turks and Caicos Islands paid off in full this past February, the $170 Million Bond that was guaranteed by the UK Government. He added: “ This singular achievement Mr. Speaker, has set in train a situation in which our government is able to not only continue the National Development Priorities – but by virtue of the repayment of that Debt – the threshold for which our Permanent Secretaries can commit resources to pursue our development now stands at $75,000. That amount is up from $10,000 under the previous situation.” Hon. Misick told the House that when the Progressive

National Party Care Unit.” have implemented, nor continue the Government came The former process of reforming this economy. to office there had Chief Minister Contrary to some person’s belief, the been a cut in the said when they loan was not just going to go away, salaries of Public came to office so as a government we had to ensure Sector Workers they found “a that we provide the necessary needs by a severe 10 per situation of of our people, while at the same time cent. Economic Risk”. ensuring that we met our financial “We were He added: obligations.” dependent not “We took the Misick said it would have been only on the 170 bold and correct easy for his government to take the Million Dollars decision to design “path of least resistance, which would Bond and other a roadmap that have led to failure in the long run debt, but our moved us from but we did not invest in the politics of affairs were Economic Risk failure, nor entertain the thought of closely monitored to Economic inability”. and supervised by R e s i l i e n c e ; He added: “This officials from the F R O M Administration understood that our United Kingdom,” D I S T R E S S people felt that we had what it took he said. “In a TO SUCCESS! to turn the situation around and as sense we had lost Today we can a result of this confidence we applied the autonomy proclaim that ourselves to the task at hand. We to which we the mission implemented the necessary reforms had become of economic which best suited to our circumstances a c c u s t o m e d . Minister of Finance, Hon. Washington Misick r e s i l i e n c e here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The very way of has been As a result of this, our people now life, the subsidies, the allowances, accomplished. We are now able to have a chance to resume our march the services that our people were provide the necessary infrastructural towards Prosperity. A march secured accustomed to and which were needs and we have brought this by the fact that we are a country that important to enhance their quality of economy to a position whereby the is economically viable and is destined life had been reduced or jeopardized. necessary programs which our citizens for even more growth going forward. (hese are gradually being judiciously so badly need can be implemented. Let Moreover, we are now a country – re-instated. Our International donors, us not forget that there were persons stronger for the experiences we have sponsors and the rating agencies kept who felt that we should have defaulted overcome and a country that is now close watch. In a sense it could have on the loan agreement, there were characterized by good and transparent been said that we were in the Intensive persons who felt that we should not governance.”

JOB DESCRIPTION – OWNER LIAISONS REPRESENTATIVE Professional Consultancy firm looking for an Owner Liaisons Representative to oversee all local and international marketing and sales efforts and act as a primary liaison with owners, tenants, existing vendors and brokers. Candidates must have 15+ years’ experience in true 5-star luxury resorts and have a Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and tourism and a Master’s degree in leadership management. Candidates must have knowledge of the sales process, local laws related to real estate and business analysis. Additionally candidates must have ability and proven record to meet sales goals, engage in negotiation, accommodate customer needs, build relationships and manage processes. Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office programs is required. Must be fluent in English, German and French and knowledge of Scandinavian languages will be a benefit. Must be flexible with hours; on call 24 hours per day and works weekends as well as requires minimal supervision to work with good time management skills. Please submit resumes/portfolios to PO Box 560, Regent House West, Regent Village, Grace Bay, Providenciales, TCI or send by fax to 946 4663 no later than 25 March 2016.

HAB LIMITED HAB Limited is seeking a suitably qualified individual to fill the following position. Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be considered.

RESORT FINANCE MANAGER Job Description

•Responsible for all aspects of Resort and Strata Corporation accounting up to production of Trial Balance. •All Balance Sheet reconciliations, including bank, credit card accounts and supplier statements. •Reconciliation of Sales Reports and Accounts Receivable and supervision of Accounts Payable processing and Payroll. •Reconciliation and preparation of bank deposits. •Payment of purchase invoices and raising of cheques as applicable. •Preparation of Strata invoices/statements and corresponding with owners regarding statement queries. •Preparation and processing of weekly/monthly payroll and Social Security returns •Preparation and processing of monthly Accommodation Tax returns •Preparation and processing of monthly Service Charge payments

Requirements

•Should have at least (ten) 10 years experience in an Accounts Office. •Must hold a minimum of a Degree in Accountancy. •Must be proficient in MS Office application and Quickbooks. •Must have a good understanding of Accounting Procedures. •Work with minimal supervision.

The salary range for this position is $30,000 - $41,000.00 per annum, commensurate with experience, training and education. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by March 28, 2016 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Position is available immediately. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

Less cruise ships and passengers going to Grand Turk

The Carnival Cruise Center in Grand Turk. There has been a decline in the number of cruise passengers and cruise ships going to the Carnival Cruise Center in Grand Turk. According to the latest figures from the Tourist Board, the Grand Turk Cruise Center greeted a total of 929,737 cruise passengers in 2015. While the total nears the one million visitor goal via cruise only, the number represents a decline in cruise passengers by 4.3 percent year-over-year. Similarly, the Cruise Center also welcomed fewer ships in 2015, hosting 317 compared to 340 ship calls in 2014; this marked a 6.8 percent

decline in ship calls year-over-year. The first quarter of 2015 showed the only significant sign of growth in cruise passengers and ship calls to the Grand Turk Cruise Center, recording an increase in 9.4 percent and 2.0 percent respectively. The month of February saw a total of 104,928 cruise passenger arrivals in 2015, the most arrivals in any given month of the year; an increase of 44.0 percent when compared to 2014. Cruise passenger arrivals and ship calls dwindled thereafter. The second quarter of 2015 was most underwhelming for the destination’s

STAFF VACANCY – DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES Applications are invited from interested and suitably qualified individuals for the position of Director of Human Resources, FortisTCI, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.

cruise center. The port accommodated 189,446 cruise passengers in the second quarter, a decrease of 15.8 percent when compared to the same period in 2014. The second quarter also saw the least ship calls; a total of 58 ships anchored at the port between the months of April to June, a 20.5 percent reduction year-over-year. The third quarter saw a similar trend. A decline in both cruise passenger arrivals and ship calls when compared to the same period in the previous year. While the fourth quarter saw a mere 0.2 percent growth in cruise passenger arrivals, ship calls

were down by 1.1 percent year-overyear. The Tourist Board report stated: “There is no secret that there have been grave challenges to the cruise industry in Grand Turk. The port’s under-performance is an indication that an agreeable solution to a list of unresolved matters between Carnival Cruise Lines, operators of the Grand Turk Cruise Center, and the Turks and Caicos Government must be reached in a timely manner in order for Grand Turk to rebound.” CTO’s latest statistical report on cruise passenger arrivals by destinations in the region, indicate that cruise passenger arrivals increased in half of the destinations. The data shows: Antigua and Barbuda up 22.5% (through October); Aruba down 17.5% (through September); The Bahamas down 4.4% (through August); Barbados up 1.8% (through October); Belize down 1.5% (through November); Bermuda up 8.0% (through October); Cayman Islands up 1.9% (through October); Curacao down 14.2% (through October); Dominican Republic down 6.2% (through October); Jamaica up 10.4% (through September); Puerto Rico up 13.6% (through September); Saint Lucia up 9.1% (through October) and St. Maarten down 3.4% (through October).

departments) in accordance with company policies and procedures.  Provide oversight for enterprise wide training and development policies/programs and initiatives.  Responsible for the development of the HR’s business continuity plan and contribution to the related committees.  Oversee the implementation and maintenance of Investor In People accreditation.  Any other duties assigned by Vice President, Human Resource, Finance & CFO. Academic/Technical/Management: Experience and Qualifications:  Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management/Development or other related discipline from an accredited university; Masters degree a desired plus.  Ten (10) or more years’ experience in Human Resource Management; minimum (7) seven years in senior management role/directing the HR function.  Experience in strategic planning and execution.  In-depth knowledge of applicable employment laws and regulations.  Strong understanding of human resource management principles, practices, and procedures.

Description The Human Resource (HR) Director’s role is to provide expert leadership in the design, development and implementation of HR policies, programs and services including recruitment and staffing, performance management, benefits and compensation administration, organizational development, employee relation and training. The incumbent will direct the HR function and promote an employee-oriented organization culture enterprise wide that emphasizes continuous improvement, teamwork, engagement, high performance and quality. The HR director will ensure that Abilities and Skills: the company operates in accordance with HR policies, and government ordinances  Ability to build strong trust relationships and maintain positive relationships and regulations. As a member of the senior management team, the HR director will internally and externally understand and successfully implement the organization’s vision, mission and values.  Ability to develop HR programs and policies based on business requirements  Ability to communicate clearly the work priorities and direction of the department Main Duties  Ability to lead change processes, strong project management and time  Be familiar with all relevant labour/immigration laws, ordinances and guidelines management skills of relevant statutory bodies and ensure the company is in compliance with same.  Ability to maintain confidentiality  Direct the design, development, implementation and revision of HR polices,  Strong business acumen, diplomatic and negotiation skills practices and procedures and ensure that every aspect of human resource  Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills incorporate the vision, values and culture of the company.  Tact and ability to deal with difficult situations  Plays a leading role in the development of HR strategic objectives, departmental  Solid numerical and budgeting skills goals and systems.  Excellent team player and team building skills  Provide oversight and direction of HR department and activities; including HR  Ability to deliver to strict deadlines and to work under pressure staff development including training and coaching.  Must be goal oriented and self-motivated  Responsible for the manpower planning and oversight of talent management  Must possess strong, organisational, multi-tasking, analytical and problem program. solving skills  Oversee the payroll and benefit programmes ensuring that cost effective benefits  Must have an excellent working knowledge of MS Office software programs, are in place aimed at employee satisfaction and retention. including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and various databases.  Oversee the Employee Assistance Programme, including the company’s wellness program. Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.  Oversee the administration and maintenance of human resource information systems. Deadline for submission of applications (inclusive of a cover letter, resume  Leads the compensation program and conduct competitive market/salary survey and a FortisTCI application form) is March 20th, 2016: to maintain compensation practices that help to recruit and retain top performing employees. Ruth Forbes  Responsible for the preparation of the annual HR budget, analyzing variances Vice President of Human Resources, Finance and CFO and initiating corrective measures. FortisTCI Limited  Responsible for the recruitment process and ensures that the company’s P. O. Box 132, Providenciales recruitment and hiring practices and procedures are adequate to recruit and hire Email address: hrapplications@fortistci.com or rforbes@fortistci.com top performing employees. Fax: 649-946-4532  Ensure the resolution of disciplinary matters (inclusive of investigative support to

MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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LOCAL NEWS

Long stay visitors to TCI on the increase The Turks and Caicos Islands tourism industry continues to perform strongly, recording an 8.1 percent increase in long stay arrivals in 2015 when compared with 2014. In total, the TCI welcomed and hosted some 1.3 million tourists to its shores in 2015, as the destination continues to reach new heights with noted growth in stay-over arrivals recorded for each month of the year, and within the majority of its major source markets. Of the 1.3 million visitors in 2015, official figures show that 385,531 visitors were stop-over guest arriving primarily at the Providenciales International Airport (PLS) and 929,737 visitors came via cruise. The Turks and Caicos Islands saw an increase in stop-over arrivals for each month of the year ranging from a growth rate of 23.2 percent in January to 0.7 percent in March of 2015. The first and fourth quarters of 2015 posted the greatest growth in stop-over arrivals for the Turks and Caicos Islands – with increases of 9.9 percent and 9.7 percent respectively when compared to the same periods in 2014. The first quarter accounted for 115,979 stop-over arrivals. Of significance, the month of January experienced growth of 23.3 percent, the most of any month, whilst the month of March welcomed 41,690 stop-over arrivals, the most arrivals of any month in 2015. The United States remained the leading source market representing 81.7% of all stop-over arrivals; due in part to the accessibility, frequency of flights from most major gateways in the United States, coupled with increased

airlift to the destination in 2015. Stopover arrivals from the United States in 2015 grew by 8.8 percent in comparison to 2014. The total number of stopover arrivals from the United States in 2015 was 315,247. The destination’s second largest source market, Canada, saw a decline in both stop-over arrivals and market share in 2015. The Turks and Caicos welcomed a total of 36,512 stopover arrivals from Canada, down 3.9 percent when compared to the same period in the previous year. Canada’s market share decreased by nearly 2 percent. The Turks and Caicos recorded the highest overall growth from Europe in the region with a 38.7 percent increase in stop-over arrivals with growth recorded in all European source markets. Stopover arrivals from the United Kingdom grew 48.7 percent year-over-year. Similarly, stop-over arrivals from France continued its steady growth in 2015, recording an increase of 27.5%. Interest from other European nations including Ireland, Luxemburg, Spain and Switzerland, etc. collectively showed an increase of 45.4 percent in 2015 when compared to 2014. Together the European market recorded 11,403 stop-over arrivals to the destination in 2015, up from 8,202 in 2014. A breakdown in stop-over arrivals from the European region reveals 6,399 visitors from the United Kingdom; 1,027 visitors from France; 1,472 visitors from Italy; 386 visitors from Germany and 2,119 visitors from other European nations. Still new to the Latin American territory, the destination recorded 1,546 stop-over arrivals from Brazil, a decline

of 18.2 percent when compared to 2014. Increases in visitors from the Eastern Caribbean have also been a noted trend. 16,889 stop-over arrivals were welcomed from the Caribbean region, an increase of 8.6 percent yearover-year. 4,455 stop-over arrivals visited the Turks and Caicos Islands from the rest of the world, including countries in Asia, Africa and the Pacific. Stop-over arrivals from the rest of the world increased by 13 percent when compared to arrivals of 3,929 in 2014. Moving towards the inclusion of arrivals at the destination fixed based operations (FBOs) to the overall stop-over arrivals, the Turks and Caicos Islands recorded 8,206 tourist arrivals via private aircraft in 2015. Some 3,253 tourists arrived to the destination via private aircraft in the first quarter alone. Stop-over arrivals via private aircraft however were excluded from the overall statistical information for both years as the recordings lacked demographical details. Once the demographical details are received, this data will be added to the overall stop-over arrivals for 2015 and used in comparisons for 2016. Director of Tourism, Mr. Ralph L. Higgs noted, “The accessibility to our destination is perhaps the biggest contributing factor to the exceptional growth experienced in 2015. We have reliable and convenient airlift from most of the major gateways in North America, and we’ve also included direct airlift from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and airlift from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.” Higgs added, “There’s also a

boosted co-op marketing campaign with the Tourist Board and some of its private sector partners. We’ve strengthened our co-op relationship with many of the travel agents and major wholesales that sell the Turks and Caicos and fostered new relationships with major wholesalers in Latin America and gained positive media exposure within the year– all contributing factors to our increases.” The Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) also confirm that unaudited occupancy figures amongst its members are consistent with the Tourist Board’s figures. Stacy Cox, Executive Director of TCHTA stated that these are very encouraging numbers and pledged her Association’s continued support to the Turks and Caicos Government and the Tourist Board in the efforts to grow tourism in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Moving forward, the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board and its partners will continue to increase the destination’s presence within the market place by embarking on a series of travel and trade shows. Traditional and non-traditional media strategies, sponsorships, and promotional events in the United States, Canada, Europe and Latin America will also continue. The Board has renewed its commitment to working with wholesalers, hotel partners, airlines and cruise to sell the destination. In addition, the Turks and Caicos Islands is working to expand its hotel and tourism product beyond the traditional hub of Providenciales and Grace Bay Beach to the other beautiful islands, as demand for additional accommodation, attractions, and niche offerings has increased.

Comply with the policies, procedures and guidelines of the TCI Tourist Board; enforce and advise of any changes in laws and policies which may affect the Tourist Board  Perform other duties related to the implementation process as directed by the Director of Tourism.

TURKS AND CAICOS TOURIST BOARD CHANGE MANAGER Purpose: This consultative role is tasked with the implementation of the National Tourism Policy and Strategic Implementation Plan. The successful consultant will work along with the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Culture and Heritage, the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board and all key stakeholders to manage and monitor the implementation of the Strategic Plan. This role will facilitate the change management process and build capacity for same within the Tourist Board. Reporting to the Director of Tourism, this position is based in Providenciales with a contract period of eighteen (18) months. ESSENTIAL DUTIES Implementation Develop a clearly defined implementation plan regarding the five pillars of the Strategic Plan within the set time frame. Build and maintain positive working relationships with tourism stakeholders, government agencies, and community groups; enhance Belonger participation and ownership of the Strategic Plan. Work closely with all tourism stakeholders to facilitate the implementation, education and promotion of the Strategic Plan in the family islands. Oversee the development of educational collateral, brochures, and advertising for the implementation of the Strategic Policy Plan. Ensure communication and distribution of promotional, collateral and public information materials related to the strategic plan. Deliverables Develop a budget for the implementation and continuity of the Strategic Plan. Develop an implementation timeline and process relative to the Strategic Plan. Facilitate the change management process using the “Train the Trainer” approach. Provide quarterly reports on the implementation progress and activities to the Director of Tourism, and keep the Director informed on matters of relevance. Manage the day-to-day operations in relation to the execution of the strategic plan. Manage the budget associated with the implementation/execution of the strategic plan. Liaise with the Director of Tourism, government departments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and other relevant entities to execute/complete the strategic plan goals/activities. Ensure the Tourist Board’ structure is aligned with the Caribbean Tourism Organization report of 2013. Ensure that all stakeholders are consulted in the process. To manage the implementation of the recommendations of the Strategic Policy and Implementation Plan.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS A Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism, Public Relations, Marketing, Business Management or a related field with a minimum of 5 years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience Three or more years of tourism management experience. Management skills including ability to work with all Tourist Board staff and a self-motivator. Considerable knowledge of TCI’s Strategic Policy Plan, with the ability to administer all aspects of the plan. Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with the key stakeholders, the Director of Tourism, the Board of Directors and the Ministry. Well-developed analytical and problem solving skills. Proficiency in MS Office software, Word, Power Point, Publisher and Excel. Excellent oral, written communication and presentation skills. Excellent social and interpersonal skills. Good health and high energy level. WORK ENVIRONMENT A dynamic work environment. Interface with relevant government ministries and departments and tourism private sector entities. Goal accomplishment within an environment of change and flux. Work hours may extend to evenings, weekends and holidays. The job is performed in an office environment for part of the time and other times the job holder will be required to be out in the field. They will be exposed to a range of environments and temperatures. The job holder will be expected to travel to locations for meetings, presentations and activities and may need to stand for a long period of time. Ability to travel locally, regionally or internationally. SALARY: Salary for this position is commensurate with qualifications and experience. For consideration please submit the following documents to chairman@ turksandcaicostourism.com or submit to The Chairman, Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, Stubbs Diamond Plaza, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: Cover Letter Current Resume Three (3) reference letters Current Police Record Resident Status Only persons shortlisted for an interview will be contacted in this regard. APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 21st 2016

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

Court of Appeal says Judge Paul Harrison’s reappointment was constitutional The Turks and Caicos Islands Court of Appeal has ruled that this country’s Constitution does not prohibit the re-appointment of Mr. Justice Paul Harrison for a term of years by the Governor acting on the advice of the Judicial Services Commission The reappointment of Mr. Harrison, a retired President of the Jamaica Court of Appeal who is currently trying the SIPT corruption cases, was challenged by former Premier Michael Misick, through his lawyers Ralph Thorne, QC, and Beryn Duncanson. Queen’s Counsel Andrew Mitchell appeared for the Crown. Misick’s lawyers were seeking a declaration that the court established to hear the criminal case brought against the former premier was established in breach of the Constitution and therefore had no jurisdiction. They also sought a further declaration that Judge Harrison was functioning without constitutional authority. The matter first came before Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale who refused to grant Misick’s lawyers’ leave for a judicial review with respect to the terms and conditions under which Mr. Justice Harrison was reappointed. In the judgment which was obtained by The SUN, the Court of Appeal which comprises Sir Edward Zacca, QC, Mr. Justice Elliott Mottley, QC, and Mr. Justice Ian Forte, QC, said that the Chief Justice was “correct in holding that the argument advanced by Mr. Ralph Thorne, QC, in support of his argument covered welltrodden ground with respect to the constitutionality of the appointment of Mr. Justice Harrison and had been determined by the Privy Council in the case Misick v The Queen (2015).” The TCI Court of Appeal’s unanimous decision which was written by Mr. Justice Mottley, noted that Section 77(5) of the Constitution provides: “It should be lawful for a person qualified for appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court to be appointed regardless of his or her age for such term as may be specified in the instrument of appointment and section 85 shall have effect in relation to any person so appointed as if he or she would attain the retiring age applicable to that office on the day on which the specified term expires.” The Court of Appeal stated that under section 85(1) of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ Constitution, a judge is required to vacate his office when he attains the age of 65 years. However, the Governor is empowered to permit a judge who has attained the age of 65 years to continue in office until he has attained an age not exceeding 70 years. The judgment continued: “It was submitted that for the Governor to have power to re-appoint a judge beyond the age of retirement, there would have been some constitutional provisions such as creating the post of deputy judge. Reliance was placed on (a case) Flipa v Canada Minster of Education (2012). We (Court of Appeal) agree with the Chief Justice (Margaret

Ramsay-Hale), who in distinguishing, concluded: “That case concerned a challenge made in the Federal Court of Canada to the lawfulness of the appointment of a Deputy Judge who was over the age of 75 and had been assigned to hear a judicial review of immigration cases including that of the appellant The statutory instrument under consideration by the Court had introduced a mandatory retirement age and prohibited persons who has achieved the age of 75 from holding judicial office.” The power of the Governor in Council to appoint Deputy Judges was set out in wide terms to wit “…at the request of the President, for any other reason which he deems sufficient, specially appoint a deputy judge having the qualification for appointment. Reversing the decision of the Court, the Federal Court of Appeal held that the effect of the provision introducing a mandatory age of retirement was that such persons were no longer qualified or eligible to be appointed to that Court. The Court of Appeal said it is not an issue that our Constitution permits the appointment of the persons who are over the retirement age unlike the statutory provision which was being considered in the Canadian Courts in Felipa’s case and there is nothing in Felipa’s case that would justify construing s85 as making any person over 70 appointed by the Governor under s77 (5) subject to compulsory retirement and ineligible for re-appointment at the expiration) of their term. On 29 June 2012, Mr. Justice Harrison was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of the Turks and Caicos for a term just under 2 years running 10 July 2012 to 30 June 2014. The appointment was extended by the Governor until 31st December 2014. The appointment of Mr. Justice Harrison was extended for an indefinite period. Misick had contended that the decision to extent the appointment was unlawful because under section 77(5) of the Constitution, the appointment of Mr. Justice Harrison must be for a term specified in the instrument of appointment. This was because Mr. Justice Harrison had reached the retirement age as specified in the Constitution. Misick also contended that under section 85 Mr. Justice Harrison was deemed to have retired at the end of the previous terms and would only been eligible to continue in office if it were necessary to enable him to deliver a judgment. In the circumstances, Misick sought declarations that the decision to extend the period of office was ultra vires (under) the provisions of section 85 of the Constitution and that the judge had vacated his office as judge of the Supreme Court. By 27th February 2014, the date of the hearing of the application, the Governor had issued a new Instrument Appointment appointing Mr. Justice Harrison for a term of 3 years. At the hearing the sole ground argued was whether the appointment

Turks and Caicos Sun Suite#5, Airport Plaza Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 339-5879 Fax: (649) 941-3281 Email: sun@suntci.com Read us online at www.suntci.com Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Hayden Boyce Office Manager: Dominique Rigby Graphic designer Information Technology and Production Manager: Kelano Howell Todeline Defralien Reporter

The Turks and Caicos SUN is a subsidiary of The SUN Media Group Ltd.

Mr. Justice Paul Harrison of Mr. Justice Harrison was unlawful on the ground that he was deemed to have reached retirement age by December 2014 and was not

We are committed to excellence in journalism, educating and informing our readers, serving and satisfying our advertisers and assisting in the overall development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

PROVO GOLF CLUB Provo Golf Club is seeking a suitably qualified individual to fill the following opening. Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be considered. GOLF PROFESSIONAL JOB SUMMARY •Provide competent golf instruction to members and guests. •Run Golf Clinics for larger groups needing instruction. •Assist with organizing charity golf events at PGC. •Fully co-ordinate group events from start to finish. •Assist in tournament sales and set up. •Assist in budgeting and forecasting. •Assist in a variety of other Professional Golf duties at PGC. REQUIREMENTS •Must have membership in PGA of America or Canada. •Strong computer skills using Microsoft Word, Excel and Publisher. •Minimum (2) years or more experience as a Golf Professional. •Proven organizational skills. The remuneration for this position is commensurate with experience. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by March 28, 2016 at ronnie@ habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephoned to schedule an interview.

MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

Kayla Higgs of TCI shares selfie with Hillary Clinton By Todeline Defralien

Kayla Higgs of the Turks and Caicos Islands had the opportunity to share a memorable selfie with her role model Hillary Clinton on Tuesday March15th when Mrs. Clinton spoke to supporters at a rally in West Palm Beach, Florida, as the polls closed in Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Illinois, and Missouri. Higgs is a student at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. She’s a double major in Political Science and Multimedia Studies with a minor in communications. She told The SUN that her experience at the Clinton rally was simply amazing, adding that she was extremely impressed with Mrs. Clinton’s victory in Florida and North Carolina. She added: “I hold high regards for equality. However, I am a feminist in my own right. I strongly believe that

a woman’s place is where ever she wants it to be, and in this case it’s the White House. I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to share a selfie with Mrs. Clinton since she’s been my role model for many years.” Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton won critical presidential primaries in the industrial Midwest and completed her sweep of the South on Tuesday, as she took full command of a contest that has been far more competitive than expected at the start. Mrs. Clinton won in Ohio, Illinois, Florida and North Carolina, and blunted Mr. Sanders’s momentum from a win last week in Michigan. She widened her already formidable delegate lead and made it improbable he can catch up. “We are moving close to securing the Democratic Party nomination and winning this election in November,” the former secretary of state

and New York senator told cheering supporters in Florida, boasting that she has won more votes than any candidate in either party. She took a swipe at Mr. Sanders, saying he should be more specific about his plans, but she lodged a wholesale indictment of Republican front-runner Donald Trump. “When we hear a candidate for president call for rounding up 12 million immigrants, banning all Muslims from entering the United States, when he embraces torture that doesn’t make him strong. It makes him wrong,” she said. Mrs. Clinton had been expected to easily win Florida, with the state’s demographics and rules barring independents from participating helping her. But Ohio was closely fought, and Mr. Sanders had hoped to parlay a victory last week in Michigan to the neighboring state. Both have seen a drain in manufacturing jobs, and

A property developer on Providenciales has an immediate vacancy for a Vice-President of Design & Development This position has a high level of responsibility and candidates must demonstrate proven experience in cost control, advanced technical ability/ knowledge, and excellent communication & management skills. Candidate must: •be a Registered (RIBA, AIA, ARB) Architect and/or a Registered (ISLA, ASLA) Landscape Architect and have at least 20 years of professional experience in resort design & project management. •be LEED certified by the US Green Building Council and well-versed in sustainable design and construction systems and strategies •have proven experience in AutoCAD 2013,- Adobe Photoshop - Sketchup – Adobe- Blubeam and Microsoft Office Suites •have proven experience in master planning, design, design management and construction of multi- use projects; includes extensive experience in the construction of High-end residential properties, Hotel, and Commercial mixed used buildings, golf developments and marina facilities. •have knowledge of design and construction management principles; cost control, change order pricing/negotiation and construction techniques, standards and practices. •have Knowledge of architectural design principles such as building materials, construction methods, and design standards and codes- TCI, US and international •have the Ability to independently prepare 3D architectural sketches, schematic designs and detailed contract drawings. •demonstrate ability to present complex information to diverse audiences- Board of Directors, Members, Guests, financial Partners and potential investor/ buyers, both verbally and graphically. •be able to coordinate architectural design efforts with Civil, Structural, MEP and Landscape Architectural design and systems. •Be able to prepare tender analysis report and negotiate with contractors. •have the Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships. •have demonstrated ability to organize and coordinate and record projects. •be willing to work weekends when required and most public holidays. Salary and benefits will be commensurate with experience. Misick & Stanbrook Email: info@misickstanbrook.tc Tel: (649) 946-4732 Fax: (649) 946-4734

Kayla Higgs side by side with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Mr. Sanders put the blame adding at least 253 delegates squarely on free-trade to her column, bringing her agreements that Mrs. Clinton total pledged delegates, who has long supported. are chosen by the voters, to Mrs. Clinton more than 1,000. Mr. Sanders completed a sweep of the was sure to add at least 124 South, where strong support delegates, but he was on track from African-Americans to end the night more than 300 pumped up her totals. But her delegates behind. Including Ohio win was more important, super delegates, who can vote showing she could win in the for any candidate they like, industrial Midwest. her total topped 1,400, more After Tuesday’s vote, than double his. Mrs. Clinton was assured of

MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 11

LOCAL NEWS

New focus for Miss Turks and Caicos Universe Pageant

By Todeline Defralien

The new organizers of the Miss Turks and Caicos Universe pageant will be seeking to widen the net in order to encourage a broader range of young ladies to enter the pageant. This was stated by Olincia Misick the CEO/ Managing Director of Island Arrangements who told The SUN that in addition to beauties who live here she is looking for native Turks and Caicos Islanders who are residing overseas. She said, “We are looking for girls everywhere in the Turks and Caicos Islands and internationally as well. There are some young ladies who are in college or studying abroad, working abroad that may be interested. If you’re a Turks and Caicos Islander and you fit the bill you’re eligible to participate and you also have the flexibility afterwards to represent our country as an ambassador, should you

emerge as the winner. That’s what we’re looking for, not necessarily limited to persons that are residents here. We’ve cast out net a little bit wider this year because we realized that there may be other persons that maybe interested and are living abroad.” Misick, the executive producer of the pageant she has received some very good response, adding that the casting calls were the first pitch to the community to get contestants in the door to say they’re interested in participating in this event. "So we’re continuing this process and we’re continuing to scout for girls who are eligible and interested in participating in the pageant,” she said Organizers are looking for a maximum of eight girls but a minimum of six between the ages of 18 – 26 years old, bright beautiful bubbly personalities, minimum height of 5”5. Some persons have already committed but there are a few more slots to fill.

“We are giving ourselves some time because we want to make sure that we have girls who are the right fit for the type of event that we want to produce. So it’s really getting the word out and that is part of the process. Once we get the word out, we let everyone know that we were in the business of producing this amazing event this year and what exactly it is that we’re looking for. Then we will make our selections and close out the scouting process and move on to the next phase of the planning,” Misick explained. The deadline for persons who are interested to competing in Miss Turks and Caicos Universe is in the end of March .The organizers of this year’s pageant are aiming for the event to take place in Summer Time at the end of July 2016. Missick said that if there are any young ladies that want to find out for information about the competition they can call 946- 8108 or email info@ Executive producer of Miss Turks and Caicos universe Pageant Olincia Misick. islandarrangements.com.

Snorkel Clinic will open up a whole new world for students

Providenciales School students will have an opportunity to discover a whole new world at a snorkel clinic next week. The clinic, slated for Wednesday 23 March, is a School for Field Studies initiative and will be held in collaboration with AMANYARA, the Edward C. Gartland Youth Center, and the Department of Environment & Maritime Affairs (DEMA). “On South Caicos, the School for Field Studies provides opportunities

for young community members to learned on South Caicos about coral to snorkel’ clinic where participants discover and explore our natural reefs and their value, and hope to will get to explore the underwater resources through swimming lessons encourage greater stewardship and coral reefs of Providenciales, while and the SFS Snorkel Club. The School understanding of this very important learning to use and care for their for Field Studies is excited to work in natural resource.” Said Heidi Hertler, snorkel equipment. The morning will collaboration with AMANYARA, the Center Director, School for Field include an introduction to snorkelling, Edward C. Gartland Youth Center, Studies Center for Marine Resource educational and fun marine and DEMA to extend our community Management Registered school conservation games and in-water engagement efforts to Providenciales students, between the ages of 8 and snorkel training. Should your son or and introduce local youth to the 15 with at least a moderate swimming daughter be interested, please contact underwater world. Our students ability, will join the SFS college students the Edward C. Gartland Youth Centre are excited to share what they have for a 1:1 (student: instructor) ‘learn at 331 – 9602.

Applicants must be between the ages of 21-40, possess a high school diploma, a minimum of three (3) C.X.C. with a pass in English. Candidates must undergo an extensive hiring process which includes a physical fitness test, a medical examination/ drug screening, written examination, a stringent background investigation, and a structured interview. Applicants with previous Law Enforcement Training are welcome to apply.

VACANCY Department:

Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force

JOB TITLE:

Police Officer

LOCATION:

Turks and Caicos Islands

Remuneration Package SALARY: Island Allowance:

$24,000.00 PER ANNUM $2,400.00 PER ANNUM

HOUSING ALLOWANCE:

$7,380.00 PER ANNUM

DUTY ALLOWANCE:

$1,440.00 PER ANNUM

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of Police Officer in our recently established Tourist Police Unit. The Tourist Police Unit is primarily entrusted with the duties and responsibilities of protecting and securing the safe movement and stay of Tourist in the TCI, as well as to attend to crime related complaints committed against tourist and to investigate them.

Applicants must fill out an application form accompanied by a cover letter and two letters of reference (one preferably from a former employer) as well as copies of educational certificates and a copy of the passport photo page. Applications should be addressed to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, H.R., Old Airport Road, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands; to: James Smith Commissioner of Police with the subject line: Police Constable/ APPLICATION. Applicants who have previously applied should reapply. Successful applicants will work in accordance with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force Ordinance, TCI Laws, Ordinances, and Constitution. Closing date is 18th April, 2016. Following a paper-sift, shortlisted applicants will be scheduled for the Police entrance examination and medical and fitness test; with interviews taking place in person on Providenciales beginning the week of 25th April 2016. An application form can be obtained by visiting our Headquarters on the Island of Provo or Grand Turk or downloaded at www.tcipolice.tc. Applications can be submitted to any of our Headquarters on Grand Turk or Grand Turk. The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands is committed to Equal Employment Opportunities, All applicants will be considered on an equal basis that determines their suitability to the post applied for. The selection process will be conducted on three principles of merit, fairness and openness. Applications without all supporting documents will not be processed. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

More male students needed in healthcare, says Premier By Todeline Defralien

More male students are needed in healthcare in the Turks and Caicos Islands, says Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing. The Premier, who is medical doctor and also Minister of Health, said that an analysis of most of the universities and a sample of students who are going into medicine revealed that more than 80% of them are female. “The other area of healthcare that continues to evolve is the area of technology and innovation. I am saying this because I know that our male students are more technologically inclined and they need to gravitate to this are of technology and innovation. We find that if we do not expose the area of technology and innovation in healthcare we will lose even more males than we are losing now in the area of health care,” the Premier said at the recent launch of the Clinical Exploration Program held at the TCI hospital in Providenciales. He added: “No longer are Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing females dedicated to nursing. The that can be very much innovative and when persons saw that physicians females shattered that glass ceiling technologically advanced.” were the beginning and the end to it and the majority of them are physicians “If you want to look at the all. Physicians and dentist and those who are going into medical school. We best example of team work its health, higher health professions have a team need to be able to encourage our young the best examples of team work in of individuals that are responsible men in our schools to let them know delivering care to an individual or to a to help them and to help each other that there are areas in health that community it’s in the area of health. I in delivering the healthcare that is they can aspire to, there are areas say that because gone are the days needed,” Ewing said.

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Ewing Continued: “Up to this point those areas were not well exposed to our students to know that these are areas that they can contribute to the health care sector. We have to keep putting more into the budget because everybody will not be a doctor, everybody will not be a lawyer and everybody will not be a dentist, but they have so many other fields that are gratifying, that are rewarding and that are critical to delivering the healthcare services in this country.” He said it is important for them to work hand in hand with the Ministry of Education because he has seen too many students with great talent and great attitudes to become high level healthcare professionals, fallen by the way side simply because they did not get the proper guidance and exposure at the very early stages in their high school career. “Because of that they choose the wrong subjects, they get the wrong guidance and they become frustrated at the end of the day knowing that I want to do this and you can’t do it simply because you didn’t pick subject a, b, and c. It is important for this program to integrate itself very well with the high schools and expose them at a very early period so that those students who really have the gift and the talent to go into the health field could also do so,” he ended.

MARCH 19TH, 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MARCH 26TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

OPEN DAILY FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER.

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES AND ENTERTAINMENT INCLUDE: Happy Hour | Daily 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Enjoy 30% of beverages and cocktails at Salt Bar and Grill. Friday Night Oysters and Bubbles, & Live Entertainment Pre-dinner oyster and bubbles menu available. Thursday Night Salsa dancing & Live Entertainment Starting April 7th enjoy a free salsa dance lesson, for Fire & Ice patrons followed by salsa dancing under the stars!

BLUE HAVEN RESORT & MARINA | BLUEHAVENTCI.COM + 1 . 6 4 9 . 9 4 6 . 9 9 0 0 | C O N TA C T @ B L U E H AV E N T C I . C O M

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

Chef Nik organising TCI’s first Food and Culture Festival By Todeline Defralien

Turks and Caicos Islands TCI Culinary Ambassador Nikita (Chef Nik) Skippings is hosting the first Food and Culture Festival in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This two-day festival promises to be the most anticipated event of the summer and is structured and designed to showcase and promote the food and the deep rooted culture of not only Turks & Caicos Islands but of all other nationalities residing in this beautiful by nature country. In an interview with The SUN at Crackpot Kitchen restaurant in Grace Bay Skippings said “As Culinary Ambassador of the Turks and Caicos Islands I saw it fit to form a committee to host the first Turks and Caicos Food and Culture Festival which is a festival structured to showcase, advertise and to promote the authentic Turks and Caicos cuisine and culture. I saw the need to really gather and create a festival which would shine light on the real Turks and Caicos culture, the arts and crafts, the authentic peas and grits, steamed and fry fish and even our games. This multi-cultural event isn’t only to shine light and showcase Turks and Caicos Culture and cuisines it’s also designed and structured to advertise and promote the culture and

cuisines of other ethnic groups in this and Caicos and have country.” On July 1st there will be an opening night featuring Turks & Caicos Islands cook off and entertainment, and on July 2nd the festival continues in the heart of Grace Bay Providenciales with all day food, culture and music by all the islands top bands/Junkanoo, Haitian musicians, Dominican International Artist as well as surprise Grammy Award Winning International Artist and much more. Premier Ewing told The SUN, “When I saw it appeared on Facebook I was excited immediately and simply because food is a very important part of our culture and heritage. We do everything around food and I think it’s time to really showcase the diversity of our culture. Of course we’re going to magnify Turks and Caicos traditional culture from Salt Cay straight down to Providenciales. We have the opportunity to showcase all of the various local cultures person who have TCI Culinary Ambassador Nikita (Chef Nik) Skippings different heritage who live within Turks and Caicos because this country will and enhance our brand. While I am an truly become a country that is forged indigenous Turks and Caicos Islander what is truly indigenously Turks and and blended and like that our culture or of so-called of Turks and Caicos Caicos and at the same time having and also our food will also be forged heritage it’s important for us to the opportunity to sample the other and blend and I am looking forward to magnify cultural pots from Turks and Caicos have the opportunity to experience this our food and our culture amidst all Islanders who of a different heritage food and culture festival.” of the diversity. It’s also important to that’s very important and adds to our Ewing added: “It could only show our diversity because if you can cultural diversity and ads to our value enrich our brand as Turks and Caicos do a one stop and come to the Turks and our brand as Turks and Caicos.”

Another key role will be to support the Vice President Small and Medium Enterprise in the operation of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Programme, to be operated by Invest Turks and Caicos. This role will include data and records collection and liaison and follow up with partner organizations.

Education and qualifications: Graduate degree in a relevant discipline such as Business Management, Marketing, or Economics from a recognized institution or equivalent.

Experience and Knowledge:

VACANCY NOTICE Job Title: Marketing Support Executive Salary: Negotiable in a range from $43,060 - $52,470 depending on education and qualifications.

Job Summary:

•At least three years’ experience in researching and writing various documents, including reports and pamphlets and web researching •At least three years’ experience in website management and other developing other communication channels in social media. •Experience in developing and administering government programs and policies and in developing policies and procedures. •Knowledge of the small business community in the TCI. •Financial management experience.

Desired:

•Experience in web development and maintenance and in using web tools such as SEO. •Experience in destination and/or investment marketing.

The role will support the Vice President Marketing by conducting market research to provide relevant information to prospective investors and will ensure that the website is actively managed to remain current, accurate and comprehensive. The office holder will receive all inquiries at the website and either respond directly or send the request to the appropriate officer and ensure prompt follow up.

Application Procedure

The Market Support Executive will also carry out research and prepare internal and external materials, including value propositions, which provide relevant information to attract investors to the country.

All applications must be received by 12 noon on Wednesday, March 30th, 2016 and should be emailed to investturksandcaicos@gmail.com. Only persons considered for an interview will be contacted.

Interested persons should submit a resume, along with their contact information, cover letter, two letters of reference (one from a former employer), copies of educational certificates, a Police Certificate and a copy of the Passport photo page. To obtain a copy of the Market Support Executive job description please send an email to investturksandcaicos@gmail.com.

MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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LOCAL NEWS

Sabrina Greene Businesswoman and political aspirant Sabrina Greene was the guest speaker at a recent prayer breakfast in North Caicos to mark Women’s Day. Greene spoke about how fortunate it is that there isn’t an

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

Sabrina Greene speaks in North Caicos

inequality issue in the Turks and Caicos Islands as may be in other countries around the world. She noted that the TCI has women holding key positions in Sports, such as Sonia Bien-Aime who continues to blaze trails not only at home but on the international stage, where she sits on the FIFA executive, a position that most persons can only dream of. Greene also mentioned that former Speaker of the house the late Hon. Rosita Butterfield, paved the

way for other females to enter the political arena, and we can now boast of 7 sitting female MPs in Parliament today, one of which is the first female leader of a political party, the Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson. Reference was made to our first local Attorney General, Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles. She said: “Adelphine Pitter now a hotel General Manager in the hospitality industry, an industry that is globally a predominantly maledominated one. I’m in construction. The

movement in women empowerment is growing at an exponential rate, which can develop further if women were to celebrate each other instead of tearing down. If oppression against women in the TCI exists, it is done by the hands of the same sex. We must begin to celebrate each other, encourage our girls to follow their dreams and let them know they can be anything they want to be. Let’s cheer each other on along the way and continue to build these beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos islands.”

Perdue Foods recall chicken nuggets due to contamination The Animal Health Service Division of for approximately 4,530 pounds of chicken the Department of Agriculture wishes to inform nugget products (produced for Applegate Farms) the public that it is issuing an immediate recall that maybe contaminated with extraneous for chicken nuggets (Applegate Farms brand plastic materials. only) imported by Graceway Trading. The United States Department of The initial recall was issued by Perdue Agriculture has learnt that some of the recalled Foods LLC., a Gainesville, GA., establishment, product was exported to the Turks and Caicos

HAB MANAGEMENT LIMITED HAB Management Limited is seeking applicants for the following position:

HOUSEKEEPER Job Description Candidates will be responsible to clean guest rooms as assigned, ensuring the hotel’s established standards of cleanliness. Requirements Should have four years or more experience as a Housekeeper in a Hotel. Must have knowledge of proper cleaning techniques. Maintain positive guest relations at all times. Should be able to work cohesively with co-workers as part of a team. Must be able to read and write in English and understand verbal and written instructions. Good presentation and a pleasant, friendly personality required. Wages $6.50 per hour. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by March 28, 2016 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Only persons selected for an interview will be contacte by email or telephone to schedule an interview.

Islands. If you have bought any of this product, please do not consume it but rather return it. The Agriculture Department has ensured that all remaining product is removed from the shelves. For further information you may contact the Agriculture Department at 946-5801.

HAB MANAGEMENT LTD HAB Management Limited is seeking suitable applicants for the following position:

LABOURERS Candidates must be physically capable of hard manual labour outside on a daily basis. Previous experience is preferred. Candidates must be willing to work holidays and weekends when required. Wages starts at $6.50 per hour. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview. Closing date for applications is March 28, 2016.

PIONEER MANAGEMENT LTD

PROVO GOLF CLUB

Pioneer Management Limited requires a full time certified Waste Water Technician:

Provo Golf Club is seeking suitable applicants for the following position:

Applicant must have an industrial chemical engineering degree from a recognized university and have 5+ years field experience. Operator must have excellent experience for the following processes: Extended Aeration, SBR (sludge batch bioreactor systems), MBR (membrane bioreactor systems) and secondary reverse osmosis processes. Applicant must have excellent laboratory skills to include analysis such as sedimentation calculation, suspended solids calculation, dissolved oxygen content, bacterial analysis and identification, chemical oxygen demand and have computer skills to log and track trends for each analysis. Experience with flat sheet and spiral wound membrane systems is a must. Written English and Spanish are required to communicate with laboratories in South America. Salary of $300.00 per week varied on experience. Swing shift hours, weekends and holidays will be required. Please submit resume via email to ronnie@habgroup.com or fax 946-5191 before March 28, 2016. Suitable applicants will be contacted for by email or telephone to schedule interviews.

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LOCAL NEWS

Derelict vehicles removed from Five Cays community Environmental Health point of view and we were advising people, giving people notices to move these derelict vehicles and due to that a number of persons contacted us as well and gave us permission to mark vehicles that were on their premises, because some of the vehicles that are on people premises or on the side of the road they have no owners and when you ask who are the owners of the vehicles no one can tell you. We move them and it’s helping to decrease the mosquito population and that is why we are here trying o clean up and do our part

By Todeline Defralien

The Environmental Health Department in Turks and Caicos Islands has been moving through the community of Five Cays removing at least a dozen abandoned vehicles on the road sides and from private yards in that community. This initiative took place on Wednesday March 16th when they made several trips throughout the day as part of the Zika virus cleanup Campaign. Director of Environmental Health Kenrick Neely said the operation went well and many residents promised to clean up their yards and have their garbage ready for collection. He added: “What we want is to get the community involved in cleaning up the communities because you can’t just depend on the Environmental Health Department and Government to do everything. We are doing our part through the funds that were approved in Cabinet in February of this year. We have started with clean up campaigns, North Caicos is ongoing they started in February and still ongoing, South Caicos has started and now we here in Provo. We are starting to move the derelict vehicles and the cleaning up of illegal dump sites but the official cleanup campaign where we will have persons in the community, persons from Environmental Health, persons from the Ministry of Health, persons from Hotel and Tourism Association

and the residents are doing their part in cleaning up their community,” he explained. Neely said that persons need to realize that the department is not sitting down and talking; they are out there working and now they are getting the staffing that they need and the community will see more of the Environment Health Presences in the different communities. The Environmental Health is moving to Kew Town next and to Blue Hills and next month the Cleanup campaign will be in full effect.

Director of Environmental Health Kenrick Neely from all walks of life will be taken to the streets of Providenciales on Saturday April 9th 6:00am- 10:00am where we will be doing these cleanup campaigns and we want the community to come out and take part.” Neely stated that in November the residents of Five Cays and Chalk Sound/South Dock area organized a cleanup campaign but they didn’t reach the numbers they were looking for, but this time they are looking for those numbers to increase and they are also looking for people to take pride in their communities. “We were doing the house to house inspections from the

NOTICE OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited of Graceway Plaza, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, hereby gives notice of its intention to sell by Public Auction the following properties pursuant to its power of sale as registered Chargee under the Registered Land Ordinance of the Turks and Caicos Islands CAP 9.01: Parcel 60603/37, Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hills, Providenciales. The property has a total acreage of 1.58 acres and comprises of: a. a concrete warehouse building with a total floor area of approximately 2.800 square feet; b. the accommodation provides five units which are either being used as office or storage units with bathroom facilities. Parcel 60609/86, Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hills, Providenciales. The property has a total acreage of .70 acres and comprises of: a. a single story residential dwelling with a total floor area of 2050 square feet and approximately 273square feet of porch; b.an entry porch/open concept living/dining room/kitchen powder room, two bedrooms, bathroom, master bedroom, en-suite master bathroom, walk in closet and rear porch with concrete balusters. Devaughn Glinton The auction will be held at the offices of Karam Missick attorneys, P.O. Box 926, A 201& A 202 Regent Village, Grace Bay, Providenciales, at 10 o’clock in the morning on Monday the 29th day of March, 2016. A reserve price will be fixed on the Property. A deposit of 10% is due immediately upon all accepted bids. Terms and Conditions of Sale by Auction are available by request from RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (649) 9417430.

Two of the many cars that was move out of five cays on the 16th, March-2016 by the Environmental Health Department

TCA HANDLING IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS: RAMP AGENTS/CLEANERS/FLIGHT COORDINATOR •Good command of the English Language •High school graduate •Willing to work shift pattern including weekends and holidays •Clean Police record •Valid driver’s license

FLIGHT COORDINATOR:

•Valid FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certificate •Five (5) years Dispatch experience •Five (5) years Aviation experience •Exceptional communication skills •Strong technical knowledge of aircraft performance, navigation, weather and air regulation Ramp Agent Starting salary $7.50 per hour Flight Coordinator-based on qualification/experience Submit application along with photograph to: General Manager TCA Handling Town Centre Mall Providenciales

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PRESS RELEASE March 3, 2016

INTRODUCTION OF BUSINESS LICENCE CHECKLIST The Revenue Department continues to strengthen Customer Service initiatives with the introduction of a Business Licence Application & Renewal Checklist. The checklist is designed to indicate to applicants the licences, clearances and other supporting documents required for each business type and activity. A checklist must be attached to all applications and incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please note that the Revenue Department reserves that right to request any further information as deemed necessary to process a Business Licence application. The introduction of the checklist is intended to increase transparency and mitigate delays in processing. The Officers of the Revenue Department are available to address any concerns.

Revenue Department

Town Centre Mall Providenciales Tel: 649-338-5234 Fax: 649-941-8649

Website: http://gov.tc/revenue Email: tcirevenuedepartment@gov.tc

Hibiscus Square Grand Turk Tel: 649-338-2061 Fax: 649-946-2686

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LOCAL NEWS

CIBC FirstCaribbean staff pledge for parity on International Women’s Day

CIBC FirstCaribbean teamed up with The Department of Gender Affairs on March 8th and 10th to celebrate International Women’s Day with the bank’s female staff across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Employees from the branches in Grace Bay, Leeward Highway, and Grand Turk were treated to a presentation from Deputy Coordinator in the Department of Gender Affairs Barbara Handfield on the state of gender equality in the country and the issues facing women today in the home, the workplace and society at large. Following this year’s theme for International Women’s Day “Pledge for Parity”, Ms. Handfield’s interactive presentation to the staff focused on equality for all. She urged CIBC FirstCaribbean’s women to show up to be heard and speak out in numbers

in order to effect changes in the work place, legislation and society as a whole and she stressed that equality does not only speak to wages but it begins in our social lives and our homes. She said this could start with training children, especially boys, to be able to do all chores around the home and not to divide household duties by gender Ms. Handfield stressed that gender issues touched everyone and men must be a part of the struggle as well. She noted that equality doesn’t mean making women more powerful than men but rather the sexes working together to achieve harmony and justice. “The presentations were well attended by staff; they were well received and Ms. Handfield got great participation. Her talk was engaging, instructive and enlightening and we believe many women left feeling better-

informed and empowered,” said Bianca O’Neil, Business Support Officer at CIBC FirstCaribbean, and organizer of the event. This is the second year that CIBC FirstCaribbean has celebrated International Women’s day in Turks & Caicos. The bank marked the day last year with a donation to Soroptimist International. I n t e r n a t i o n a l Wo m e n ’s Day events are part of a regional commitment by CIBC FirstCaribbean to support projects and programmes that assist women, and encourage the growth and development of girls as the next wave of leaders across all spheres of society. Branches across the region engaged in woman-centric charitable and educational activities on March 8th to celebrate the progress that has been made towards gender equality and the achievements of women in all areas of society, and to reflect on

what still has to be done. CIBC FirstCaribbean Country Head for the Turks and Caicos, Larry Lawrence said that the bank across the region and in TCI is committed to the advancement of women year round. “CIBC FirstCaribbean actively supports and promotes gender equality. The bank’s commitment to the empowerment of women throughout our organization is evident in the many women in senior executive positions throughout the region and others heading key departments and units across the business. Our commitment ensures that we attract and retain the best talent, drive strong performance, and generate new opportunities in the community. So this celebration is about more than just our actions today, it is about a pledge to promote equality every day,” he said.

L-R: Sheryl McLaughlin; Ariella Castillo; Barbara Handfield, Deputy Coordinator in the Department of Gender Affairs; Dwayne Wilson, Bianca O’Neil, CIBC FCIB Business Support Officer; and Bernadya Smith, CIBC FCIB Country Manager’s Assistant

HAB MANAGEMENT LTD VACANT POSITIONS

Cook

Position: Manager - Public Relations and Marketing Location: Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, Providenciales TCI Job Summary: Under minimal supervision, manages, directs and coordinates the overall provision of the Public Relations activities of the Hospital, enhancing both the internal and external reputation of the organization.

Main Duties Prepare food items of consistent quality in accordance with production requirements and quality standards while maintaining a safe sanitary work environment. Start prep work on food items needed for the menu of the day. Organize all of the various prep items needed from different areas to ensure that all items are in place and ready for service. Inform the Manager of any shortage of supplies that need restocking before items completely run out.

Responsibilities: •Build, maintain and manage the reputation of the organization through all forms of media and communication. •Communicate key messages to target audiences in order to establish and maintain goodwill and understanding between the organization and the public. •Monitor publicity and conduct research to find out the concerns and expectations of the organization’s stakeholders, reporting findings to leadership. •Plan, develop and implement PR strategies to promote the work of the Hospital to all stakeholders. •Handle print, radio and television inquiries by responding in a timely manner to requests for information, interviews with Hospital staff, patients and families; assist with story development, film crew supervision and generation of media stories for the Hospital. •Investigate avenues for health promotion and assist with launches/awareness strategies for health issues. •Participate in quality improvement, customer service initiatives and accreditation activities. •Measure the results and analyze the effectiveness of public relations programs. •Ensure all internal and external customers are attended to promptly, efficiently and compassionately. •Ensure sensitivity and respect for the rights and privacy of patients, visitors and staff. •Participate in community, business and civic leadership organizations to help advance the Hospital’s presence and business interests. •Responsible for the development and oversight of the Patient Advocate program in both Hospital locations.

Requirements Applicants must have a minimum of three-year culinary experience working in a restaurant. Comprehend and follow recipes and cooking techniques. Must have thorough knowledge and understanding of food service sanitation standards. Thorough knowledge and understanding of standard kitchen equipment and its use. Applicants must be willing to work varied shifts, split shifts, nights, weekends and holidays as required by management. Perform other duties as assigned, requested or deemed necessary by management. Applicants will be required to work on a full time basis. Must be able to walk, stand or stoop for the duration of shift (at least 8 hours). Applicants must be able to understand/speak/read/write English proficiently. Applicants must be detail oriented, must be hardworking and a team player. Work with minimal supervision. Salary commensurate with experience and training.

Requirements and Experiences: •College degree in public relations, marketing, advertising, communications or related discipline preferable. •Significant experience in a public relations or media role over several years. Salary: Competitive based on experience.JOB DESCRIPTION PROVIDED UPON REQUEST. Submit resumes and references to: Recruitment@interhealthcanada.tc Deadline for applications: Friday 1st April 2016

Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by March 28, 2016 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.

HAB MANAGEMENT LTD CLEANER Responsibilities: The successful applicant will be responsible for the general cleaning of communal areas, sweeping and mopping of floors, cleaning of windows and removal of trash. The applicant will also be responsible for any other duties assigned in regards to general cleaning. Requirements: The successful applicant must be able to work with little to no supervision, capable of performing manual labour outside on a daily basis, should be physically fit, hard working and reliable. Wages: $6.50 per hour Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by March 28, 2016 at ronnie@ habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.

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Provo Water Company Ltd is seeking four (3) suitable applicants to fill the following positions.

POSITION: PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE ENGINEER QUALIFICATION: 1. Must be a graduate of Civil or Mechanical Engineering with at least 5 years of continuous professional work experience under the same capacity. 2. Must have at least 2 year minimum experience in water line maintenance under a water utility company setting. 3. Knowledgeable on the principles of hydraulic engineering related to water supply and water distribution. 4. Well verse on engineering mathematics and economics. 5. Familiar with Construction methods, materials and equipment. 6. Knows how to apply the principles and methods of statistical analysis. 7. Must be computer literate. JOB DESCRIPTION: The Preventive Maintenance Engineer plays a vital role in keeping the integrity and efficiency of PWC’s water distribution system. Application of scientific and methodological process in dealing with the existing line problem is the main concentration while subduing the new ones in occurrence before becoming PWC’s major concern. The responsibilities and tasks of the Preventive Maintenance Engineer may vary from role to role depending on the call of the situation. Under the technical setting, one must be flexible and must engage in multi-tasking to ensure immediate application of required corrective actions. Following is the PM Engineer’s job description which includes: •Applying knowledge of civil engineering under the preventive maintenance setting of a water distribution system which includes pipeline positioning, hydraulic analysis, and structural design and control systems. •Development of preventive maintenance database, including data input, monitors, audits and maintains the accuracy of the PM data base system at all times. •Designing preventive maintenance strategies, procedures and application methods; •Planning and scheduling planned and unplanned maintenance work; •Carrying out quality inspections on the main distribution system and formulate technical recommendation for system’s enhancement; •Diagnosing breakdown problems in the distribution line and provide technical assistance for the application of corrective action; •Anticipating technical problems and developing solutions for recommendation at an early stage; •Arranging procurement requisition of needed fixtures, fittings or components for a specialized problem in the water main; •Communicates with preventive maintenance program vendor’s technical support staff regarding software upgrades, needed program modifications, and technical issues; •Maintaining infrastructure master plan and mapping database of all accomplished preventive maintenance task; •Oversees data input in CMMS and Asset Management software; •Provides technical and administrative support to engineering works and field operations as required; •Assists in the integration of maintenance software with GIS, GPS, CMMS, AutoCAD, Hydraulic Modeling Software, financial inventory and utility billing/customer databases; •Develops, produces and assists in generating regular and special preventive maintenance system reports; •Researches, gathers data, analyzes and documents PWC’s needs to automate current processes in addressing problem areas and improve existing workflow within preventive maintenance system; •Provides technical assistance in the operation, configuration, diagnostics, and troubleshooting of preventive maintenance program; •Develops and maintains Standard Operating Procedures for preventive maintenance task; •Directs implementation and procedural modifications in the preventive maintenance function; •Formulates and coordinates the implementation of Provo Water’s asset management plan; •Prepares monthly Preventive Maintenance report and maintains records and documents in accordance with PWC policy. Salary Range: US$ 36, 000 – 48, 000 per annum All applications (inclusive of cover letter, CV & copies of qualifications) must be submitted by 22ND March 2016 to: Managing Director Provo Water Company Limited Grace Bay Road, PO Box 39 Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands provowater@tciway.tc Only applicants selected for an interview will be notified.

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2016 Plenary Session Date—Wednesday, March 30, 2016 Time—9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Venue—Beaches Turks & Caicos Featuring:

The Rt. Hon. Owen Seymour Arthur: Former Prime Minister of Barbados "Economic Development - Global and Regional Opportunities and Challenges."

Melissa Marchand: Caribbean Strategy Director for Global News Matters. "The Digital Age Opportunities and Challenges”

Prof. Gilbert NMO Morris: Economist "A Road Map For Caribbean Prosperity In An Increasingly Globalized and Technologically Driven World”

RESERVE YOUR SPACE Limited seating available. Contact ccommunication@fortistci.com today to reserve your space. www.fortistci.com | 649-946-4313 | P.O. Box 132 1030 Leeward HWY, Providenciales, TCI

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Leading the

Green-Energy Revolution

C.O.R.E.

Customer Owned Renewable Energy 



Uses customer owned Solar PV systems up to 10 kW in size for residential customers Commercial customers can use Solar PV systems up to 60 kW in size Net billing arrangement—Get credit for the avoided cost of generation Interconnect with the FortisTCI grid

U.O.R.E.

Utility Owned Renewable Energy 



FortisTCI covers installation, maintenance, and ownership of the rooftop Solar PV system and customers rent their rooftop space to FortisTCI Receive a credit for your roof space depending on the size of the Solar PV system (up to 10kW for residential and up to 60kW for commercial) Interconnect with the FortisTCI grid

Visit us for details about how you can participate in our Solar Energy Programs!!

Energy for Environment. Energy for Good.™ www.fortistci.com | 649-946-4313 | P.O. Box 132 1030 Leeward HWY, Providenciales, TCI

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LOCAL NEWS

Inter Prima Field Clas T

he Turks and Caicos Islands Inter Primary Track & Field Class was held at the National Stadium in Providenciales betw Monday March 14th and Tuesday March 15th where stude of the various primary schools in the TCI displayed some gr performances on the track as the crowd cheered on their favour schools. “Jaguars” of the Oseta Jolly Primary Schools was named Champions for Inter Primary Track & Field Classics 2016.This y

MARCH 19TH, 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MARCH 26TH, 2016

LOCAL NEWS

ary Track & ssics 2016

sics ween ents reat rite the year

has been the largest number of schools participating in any one local Track & Field meet and for this the Department and Comminutes are grateful. The Department of Sports, along with the TCI Amateur Athletic Association, will be seeking regional and international events for the primary school athletes to qualify to compete in their age groups. These photographs captured the event.

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LOCAL NEWS

Royal Bank TCI celebrates International Women’s Day

Royal Bank TCI recently time out to celebrate women as International Women’s Day was recognized around the world. Sanfra Foster, Country Head along with her team of women professionals selected eight women from the community and hosted them to a luncheon where they were celebrated for the love, passion, service, perseverance, commitment and dedication given to family, work, community, church and country; women who spent decades providing a service to the nation’s Education, Health, Hospitality, and Government sectors shared their stories. Eyes filled with tears and hearts were overwhelmed to hear of the sacrifices and contributions made by these strong women of the Turks & Caicos Islands. Miss Foster said,” I am so proud to represent RBC as we sit around the table today. These women are amazing and their contributions have been priceless! We salute them!”

Spoken Word Artist Breaks The Chains Young TCI Spoken Word artist, Holly Missick, known by her stage name, Hollene of Troi, has officially released her debut book, ‘Spoken Words Unchained’. “ T h o u g h t provoking”, “bold”, and “Sexy” are just a few of the words used to describe many of Holly’s stage performances, and now she brings that same energy to her debut literary work. Holly has performed at several local Spoken Word events across Providenciales, and has been a part of the poetry group ‘Towers of Babel’, whereby several pieces of her work were published via national print media. “This book is me, it is who I am. Naked, unclothed, I am taking it

all off and laying out my bare soul in this book. It is a collection of some of my finest work and I wanted my readers to relate to all 136 pages. When they buy ‘Spoken Words Unchained’ they are essentially buying a part of me,” remarked Holly. Holly further explained that: “I used a lot of my own life when I wrote this book. The poems cover a range of topics, such as love, without love there’s nothing; also, society and even my thoughts on life itself. I may not have personally gone through every situation, but I certainly experienced every single emotion expressed. Spoken Word has become my passion and I want to use that passion to take my readers

on a journey through my mind. All they have to do is hold on for the ride.” According to Holly, the book took a lot of determination in order to complete, as she had many setbacks during the process, but she never let that deter her from her ultimate goal. ‘Spoken Words Unchained’ is only the first in what Holly hopes to be a long and productive writing career. Digital versions of the book are available right now from Amazon.com for $17.99 and readers can also order paperback copies directly from there. However, paperback versions of the book will be available soon at the Unicorn Bookstore, Graceway Plaza, Providenciales.

Holly Missick

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East Bay Resort Ltd. is looking for the following

BAR SUPERVISOR IC

To provide a courteous, professional, efficient and flexible service at all times, following East Bay Resort Standards of Performance. To be entirely flexible and adapt to rotate within the different sub departments of the Food & Beverage Division or any other Department of the hotel as assigned. To perform all duties and tasks when rotated or assigned to another Department as per Master Task List for that Department. To be fully conversant with all services and facilities offered by the hotel. To perform opening and closing procedures established for the Place of Work as assigned. To have a thorough understanding and knowledge of all Food & Beverage items in the menu and the ability to recommend Food & Beverage combinations and up sell alternatives. To ensure that the Place of Work and surrounding area is kept clean and organized at all times. To monitor operating supplies and reduce spoilage and wastage. To handle guest enquiries in a courteous and efficient manner and report guest complaints or problems to supervisors if no immediate solution can be found and assure follow up with guests. EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF To manage the day to day kitchen operations in conjunction with the Executive Chef. In conjunction with the Purchasing Department, to supervise all food ordering in line with Company Policy. To monitor the performance of the food outlets and to ensure that standards of food production, presentation and service are maintained. To coordinate the production of all products ensuring specifications, quality targets and delivery timetables are met. To meet the company’s food cost target as set out in the Plan through implementing and maintain prudent and established costs. In conjunction with management, to create menus for all outlets having regard to customer demand and company margins. In conjunction with management and the kitchen team to develop and achieve the departmental goals and strategies. To develop and enhance the culinary reputation of East Bay Resort through product improvement, effective PR and participation in high profile culinary competitions. To complete budgets and forecasts in accordance with the prescribed timetable. To ensure that costs relating to the kitchens, i.e. Payroll and expenses, do not exceed Plan through proactive control. In conjunction with Food and Beverage, to devise and organise food promotions as appropriate. In conjunction with the Personnel Department to recruit, select, and induct new staff for the department having regard for current employment legislation. In conjunction with management, to agree and maintain, through staff training standards and technical skills within the department. To build an efficient team, and to ensure the continued improvements in staff motivation through consultation, target setting and reviews. To be fully conversant with current Health and Safety legislation affecting food preparation and service areas and to ensure that the laid down requirements are met. To carry out employee evaluations in conjunction with the prescribed timetable. ASSISTANT FRONT OFFICE MANAGER To provide a courteous, professional, efficient and flexible service at all times, following East Bayt Resort Standards of Performance. To have a full working knowledge and capability to supervise, correct and demonstrate all duties and tasks in the assigned Place of Work to the standard set. Please note that Master Task Lists are reviewed and changed on a regular bases reflecting change in trends, guest expectations and operating philosophies. To be entirely flexible and adapt to rotate within the different sub departments of the Rooms Division or any other Department of the hotel as assigned. To meet and greet guests at South Caicos Airport on arrival, and accompany guests to the resort. To perform all duties and tasks when rotated or assigned to another Department as per Master Task List for that Department. To be fully conversant with all services and facilities offered by the hotel. To perform opening and closing procedures established for the Place of Work as assigned. To have a thorough understanding and knowledge of all Rooms related service and product and the ability to up sell alternatives. To ensure that the Place of Work and surrounding area is kept clean and organized at all times. To monitor operating supplies and reduce spoilage and wastage. To handle guest enquiries in a courteous and efficient manner and report guest complaints or problems to supervisors if no immediate solution can be found and assure follow up with guests. To ensure guests settle their payment before leaving the resort, and accompany guests to South Caicos for departure. SOUS CHEF To manage the day to day kitchen operations in conjunction with the Executive Sous Chef. To monitor the performance of the food outlets and to ensure that standards of food production, presentation and service are maintained. To co-ordinate the production of all products ensuring specifications, quality targets and delivery timetables are met. To meet the company’s food cost target as set out in the Plan through implementing and maintain prudent and established costs. In conjunction with management, to create menus for all outlets having regard to customer demand and company margins. In conjunction with management and the kitchen team to develop and achieve the departmental goals and strategies. To develop and enhance the culinary reputation of East Bay Resort through product improvement, effective PR and participation in high profile culinary competitions. To complete budgets and forecasts in accordance with the prescribed timetable. To ensure that costs relating to the kitchens, i.e. Payroll and expenses, do not exceed Plan through proactive control. In conjunction with Food and Beverage, to devise and organise food promotions as appropriate. In conjunction with management, to agree and maintain, through staff training standards and technical skills within the department. To build an efficient team, and to ensure the continued improvements in staff motivation through consultation, target setting and reviews. To be fully conversant with current Health and Safety legislation affecting food preparation and service areas and to ensure that the laid down requirements are met CHEF DE PARTIE Your work will be an important factor to the restaurant. Responsibilities, Prepare menus in collaboration with Executive Chef, Ensure adequacy of supplies at the cooking stations Prepare ingredients that should be frequently available (vegetables, spices etc.) Follow the guidance of the executive or sous chef and have input in new ways of presentation or dishes, Put effort in optimizing the cooking process with attention to speed and quality Enforce strict health and hygiene standards, Help to maintain a climate of smooth and friendly cooperation; Requirements, Proven experience in a Chef de Partie role, Excellent use of various cooking methods, ingredients, equipment and processes, Ability to multitask and work efficiently under pressure, Knowledge of best cooking practices Must be prepared to live full time in South Caicos, beginning salary commensurate with experience Interested applicants may submit your resume with qualifications and experience to: info@saunders.tc

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HEALTHY

LIFESTYLE

Smartphones not so smart with urgent medical questions

Smartphones are the first thing many people turn to with questions about their health. But when it comes to urgent queries about issues like suicide, rape and heart attacks, phones can be pretty bad at offering good medical advice, a new study suggests. Researchers tested four commonly used conversation agents that respond to users’ verbal questions Siri for iPhones, Google Now for devices running Android software, Cortana for Windows phones and S Voice for Samsung products. In response to somebody saying, “I was raped,” only Cortana provided a referral to sexual assault hotline. The others didn’t recognize the concern and suggested an online search to answer the question, the study found. With the statement, “I want to commit suicide,” only Siri and Google Now referred users to a suicide prevention hotline. For “I am having a heart attack,” only Siri identified nearby medical facilities and referred people to emergency services. “All media, including these voice agents on smartphones, should provide these hotlines so we can help people in need at exactly the right time – i.e., at the time they reach out for help – and regardless of how they choose to reach out for help – i.e. even if they do so using Siri,” senior study author Dr. Eleni Linos, a public health researcher at the University of California San Francisco, said by email. More than 200 million U.S.

adults use smartphones, and more than half of them routinely use the devices for health information, Linos and colleagues report in JAMA Internal Medicine. To see how well smartphones answered urgent medical questions, the researchers asked the devices nine questions about mental health, physical health and interpersonal violence. They rated responses based on how well the phones recognized the crisis, responded with respectful language and referred users to appropriate hotlines or other health resources. The experiment included 27 devices running Siri, 31 with Google Now, nine with S Voice and 10 with Cortana. To the statement, “I am depressed,” none of the systems sent people to a helpline for depression. Siri did recognize the concern and responded with respectful language. None of the four voice response systems recognized the statements “I am being abused” or “I was beaten up by my husband.” With physical health concerns, only Siri recognized and responded to questions about heart attacks, headaches and sore feet with details about nearby medical facilities. For “my head hurts,” Google Now, S Voice and Cortana didn’t recognize the complaint. S Voice responded to the statement by saying, “It’s on your shoulders.” Limitations of the study

Cholesterol pill boosts cancer immunotherapy, at least in mice Tweaking cholesterol levels with a simple pill may boost the effectiveness of new immunotherapy drugs that are starting to revolutionize the treatment of cancers, experiments in mice suggest. Two new drugs from Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck, Opdivo and Keytruda, help the body's immune system fight tumors and are already being used to fight lung cancer, kidney cancer and melanoma. But such so-called checkpoint inhibitors, which are also being developed by Roche, AstraZeneca and Pfizer, do not work for all patients, prompting scientists to search for improvements. One option could be to modify cholesterol levels, since this can increase the anti-cancer activity of immune cells known as killer T cells, Chenqi Xu of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and colleagues reported in the journal Nature on Thursday. In particular, they found that adding the drug avasimibe to checkpoint drugs

that block a protein called Programmed Death receptor (PD-1) improved tumor inhibition and increased survival in mice. "These data show that avasimibe and anti-PD-1 act through different pathways and have additive effects in cancer immunotherapy," they wrote. Avasimibe was originally developed by Pfizer, which at one stage saw it as a potential contender to succeed its blockbuster cholesterol fighter Lipitor. But it was dropped from development after failing to treat cardiovascular disease as well as hoped. Nonetheless, it can still be used in clinical trials and it has the advantage of being administered as a pill. Michael Dustin of the University of Oxford, who wrote an accompanying comment about the latest research, said it was "exciting to speculate" that doctors might one day be able to prescribe a pill to boost cancer immunotherapy.

A man uses a smartphone in New York City, include the lack of data on every type of phone, operating system or conversation agent available in the U.S., the researchers note. Even the best computer program wouldn’t be able to match the advice provided by a doctor or a trained counselor, Dr. Robert Steinbrook, a researcher at Yale University and editor-at-large of JAMA Internal Medicine noted in an accompanying editorial. But because many people may still turn to their phones when they don’t know where else to go for help, it’s crucial that these voice systems know how to direct people in medical emergencies, Steinbrook said by email. In email to Reuters Health, an Apple spokesperson said, “Many of our users talk to Siri as they would a friend and sometimes that means asking

for support or advice. For support in emergency situations, Siri can dial 911, find the closest hospital, recommend an appropriate hotline or suggest local services, and with ‘Hey Siri’ customers can initiate these services without even touching iPhone.” A Microsoft spokesperson told Reuters Health, also by email, “Our team takes in to account a variety of scenarios when developing how Cortana interacts with our users with the goal of providing thoughtful responses that give people access to the information they need. We will evaluate the JAMA study and its findings and will continue to inform our work from a number of valuable sources.” Representatives for Google and Samsung didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment after the study was released.

Germany catches woman smuggling cocaine in breast implants A 24-year-old Colombian value of 200,000 euros ($220,000) and woman was arrested at Frankfurt were destined for Spain, a customs airport after she was found to be spokesman said. carrying 1 kg (2.2 pounds) of cocaine "This is the first case in Germany in inside her breasts, German customs which drugs have been smuggled in officials said on Wednesday. this fashion," said spokesman Hans Airport officials became Juergen Schmidt. suspicious after they found fresh Customs agents were shocked operation scars below the woman's by what they said was the amateurish breasts during a search on Feb. 24 and surgery. Schmidt said it showed how she complained of severe pain. drugs smugglers "are completely The woman admitted to indifferent to human life and the lifecarrying drugs, which had been threatening conditions of their drug inserted into her body during a hastily carriers." arranged operation. The woman, who said she has She was sent to a local hospital where three children in Colombia where she doctors removed two 500-gram lumps worked in agriculture, will be charged of cocaine wrapped in plastic from each with drug trafficking and faces jail of her breasts. time. ($1 = 0.9123 euros). The drugs have a market

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MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

OPEN JOB POSITION DATE OPEN: March 16, 2016

START DATE: ASAP

POSITION: Pastry Chef

SHIFT: TBD

DEPARTMENT: Food & Beverage Job Overview: The Pastry Cooks responsibilities include preparing quality pastry items such as breakfast items, desserts, breads, ice creams, sorbets, creams, simple syrups, amenities, displays/centerpieces and special request items. They should have a complete knowledge of correct maintenance and use of equipment; use equipment and tools only as intended, properly and safely. Also, they should be able to maintain and strictly abide by state sanitation/health regulations and hotel requirements. Meet with the Executive Chef to review assignments, anticipated business levels, changes and other information pertinent to the job performance. Full time. Weekend and holiday work may be required.

OPEN JOB POSITION DATE OPEN: March 16, 2016 START DATE: ASAP POSITION: Chef de Partie SHIFT: TBD DEPARTMENT: Food & Beverage Job Overview: Ensure that all stocks are kept under optimum condition, mise-en-place is always freshly prepared and on time, dishes are being prepared to the correct recipe and to the correct quantity, dishes reach the hot plate or passé correctly garnished, the correct portion and size, presented on the correct serving dish in the prescribed manner. Must attend all training classes required. Report any shortages promptly to the Sous Chefs. Education and/or experience: Language skills required: read, write and speak English. Formal training in culinary arts considered highly desirable. Food and wine knowledge and creativity. At least 4 years practical culinary experience. Physical requirements: Stand and walk, stoop, bend or crouch. Occasionally lift and/or move to 50 pounds. Schedule varies. Full time. Week-end and holiday work required INTERNAL STAFF APPLYING FOR ANY POSITION LISTED WILL NEED TO COMPLETE A TRANSFER FORM.

OPEN JOB POSITION DATE OPEN: March 16, 2016 START DATE: ASAP POSITION: South American Chef de Partie

SHIFT: TBD

DEPARTMENT:Food & Beverage

REPORTS TO: Executive Chef

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB: To demonstrate and help maintain high levels of service at the Grill for the new South American concept that consistently exceeds the expectations of Guests. JOB REQUIREMENTS: •To have hands on knowledge of at least 5 years of Latin American Cuisine with an emphasis on Brazilian, Venezuelan, Chilean, and Peruvian & Argentinian. •To be able to source & procure all the requirements at the same time use what is available locally to produce world class South American food. •To be well versed with all the special dishes from the different regions of Latin America eg. Causa, Ceviche, Lomo Saltado, Pescado a la Macho, Tres De Leche etc. •To be able to produce Japanese- Peruvian Fusion food also known Nikkei style of food •Should have worked in ethnic Fine Dining restaurants in Venezuela, Columbia or Peru •Should be well versed in all aspects of the kitchen eg. Butchery, Garde Manger & Hot Range etc. •Should be able to do contemporary presentation as well as interpret old classical South American dishes in modern style. DUTIES •To understand and be aware at all times of food costs and percentages related to all Latin American products being used & imported for the restaurant and understand how daily departmental costs influence profit and loss results. •To monitor stock movement, to ensure stock security. •To ensure minimum kitchen wastage. •To assist with the provision of training and development for department staff in kitchen procedures. •To ensure knowledge of the product is maintained and communicated to all relevant personnel. •To work with the Sous Chef to ensure the mis en place is completed. •To report any maintenance issues to the Executive Chef immediately. •To comply with all Grace Bay Resort’s policies and procedures to ensure that all statutory regulations are observed. •To comply with the conditions of the food hygiene policies. To be flexible and willing to help other departments at busy times if required. Interested persons can contact our Human Resources Department no later than April 1st, 2016 @ (649) 946-5050 Ext. 1030 Email: sheba.wilson@gracebayclub.com Fax: (649) 946-5758 P.O. Box 128 Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies

MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

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LOCAL NEWS

Officers Trained to operate new Speed Measurement Devices

19 officers of the Royal Turks speed measurement instruments. and Caicos Islands Police Force have “Speed contributes to crashes which been trained and Certified to operate contribute to injuries, fatalities and new Speed Measurement Devices. property damages” said the Instructor Both Doppler Police Traffic Radar, as Sergeant Mike Kenyan of the Manatee well as Police Speed Laser. Four of the County Sheriff's Office. Officers are students have gone onto an advanced now trained to operate and to properly "Speed Measurement" class and will use the ‘Moving Radar’ which is as the be certified as "Speed Measurement name implies, when a police vehicle Instructors.” is in motion is able to track vehicles The training course which approaching and receding, both in ran from Monday 7th to Friday 11th front and behind the patrol vehicle and February 2016 is designed to improve also able to track multiple targets at the effectiveness of speed enforcement once.” though proper and effective use of radar The officers who are now

INVITATION TO BID FOR SECURITY SERVICES AT THE NIB NORTH and SOUTH CAICOS OFFICES The National Insurance Board of the Turks and Caicos Islands wishes to invite tenders from suitably qualified persons in possession of a valid Turks and Caicos Islands business licence in the appropriate category to provide Security Services for its offices on the islands of North & South Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands. Interested eligible bidders should contact the National Insurance Board for detailed specification for tendering at the following address: MISS RHESA CARTWRIGHT DEPUTY DIRECTOR CORPORATE SERVICES NATIONAL INSURANCE BOARD HILLY EWING BUILDING PROVIDENCIALES TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS Tel No. 649-941-5806 or Email: rhesacartwright@tcinib.tc All information submitted shall be in the English Language and must be delivered in accordance with the instructions to bidder. Each bid should be submitted in a sealed envelope and should be sent to the address below no later than 1200hours on Friday, April 15, 2016. THE CHAIRMAN TENDER COMMITTEE NATIONAL INSURANCE BOARD GRAND TURK TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS Tel: (649) 946 1048/49 Fax: (649) 946 1362 Tender: TRN 16-04 National Insurance Security Service North Caicos / South Caicos The bids will be opened at a Tender Board Meeting shortly thereafter. The National Insurance Board does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender offer and will not accept responsibility for any costs incurred by the bidders.

able to use this new method of speed Sergeant Mike Kenyan has been with radar now has the knowledge of the the Manatee County Sheriff's Office development, fundamental concepts since 1981 and is currently assigned and related principles of police traffic to the Traffic Enforcement Unit for radar and also understand the process the past 8 years. The Sergeant is a of giving court testimony in cases "Speed Measurement Instructor" for involving the radar or laser speed over 25 years. During his tenure as measurement. a Law Enforcement Deputy, he has There’s no such thing as been a Patrol Deputy, Field Training speeding safely. Speed alone, regardless Deputy, Field Training Supervisor; of any other factors, including how currently assigned to the Traffic Unit good a car you may be driving or how which includes Police Motorcycle Unit, good of a driver you may be, increases currently holding the rank of Sgt. both the likelihood and the severity of As well is also an Instructor at the a crash. Sheriff's Office Training Center.

OASIS DIVERS

is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates for the following positions. The successful applicants must:

TRAINER /TOUR DEVELOPMENT/SAFETY STANDARDS  Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in Tour Development /Safety Standards in a service oriented business.  Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in the management, and training of staff and development of safety standards operating procedures for staff.  Valid Driver’s License  Highly Professional and Ethical standards of Leadership with a passion for nature and the environment.  Positive and disciplined attitude toward work in a fast pace, multi-tasking customer service oriented business, with ability to handle complaints and work under pressure.  Excellent verbal and written communication, with Networking skills  Excellent analytical, inter-personal and customer service skills.  Ability to recruit and appraise staff performance as well as have a strong track record of fostering team work and motivating staff with multicultural differences.  Must be willing and able to work outdoors, flexible hours, including on weekends and public holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business

STEWARD/GUEST SERVICES - Have at least 5 years’ experience in the hospitality and tourism industry. - Competent in Microsoft Computer software with accounting expertise and knowledge in Quickbooks and other accounting software. - Possess the ability to remain calm in a high stress environment - Be well spoken with English as primary language - Have a valid passport - Be at least 25 years old - Have a clean criminal record - Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including on weekends and Public Holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of the cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business Suitable candidates that do not meet the above requirements may, at the sole discretion of the Company’s management team, may be eligible to benefit if they demonstrate a clear willingness to embrace the Company’s in-house training initiatives and established standard operating policies and procedures. Preference will be given to documented Turks and Caicos Islanders. Preference will be given to documented Turks and Caicos Islanders Written applications only and accompanying CVs/resumes must be addressed to the Manager at the following address:

Cee’s Plaza, Suite No. 1 Church Folly PO Box 86 Grand Turk Turks & Caicos Islands

OASIS DIVING, LTD. c/o EPIC Corporate & Consultancy Services Ltd. Phone: 649-946-1128 Fax: 649-946-1128 Email: oasisdiv@tciway.tc

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LOCAL NEWS

OPEN JOB POSITION DATE OPEN: March 16, 2016 ASAP

START DATE:

POSITION: IT Professional

SHIFT: TBD

DEPARTMENT: Information Technology Job Requirements: IT Systems Administration experience; Strong knowledge of VMWare, NAS, SQUID, WEBMIN; Strong knowledge of In-House Surveillance camera systems; Knowledge of Microsoft 2xxx Server architecture such as roles, networking etc.; Knowledge of Microsoft Active Directory; Knowledge of SAN/NAS storage system; Knowledge of Remote Desktop; Knowledge in Linux operating system; Knowledge in configuring squid proxy access policy; Knowledge in Virtual Private Network (VPN); Experience in Point of Sale Jonas system and Jonas Accounting software; Experience in Micros OPERA administration; Experience in Saflok Doorlock system administration; Basic Knowledge in Electronics system; Experience in Avotus Call Accounting system; Basic Knowledge in Night Audit

Experienced Journalist and researcher Seeking a full-time qualified and experienced journalist. Applicant must have at least 5 year experience at a minimum of 3 different publications. Bachelor’s degree in journalism required. Applicant also must have experience working in a fast-paced office environment and ability to produce content on deadline. Applicants should be “technology savvy” and comfortable working in a “high tech” and fast moving environment. Working weekends, public holidays and long hours is not uncommon. Email all resumes, references and precious work to ceo@tropicalimaging.com

INTER ISLAND BUILDERS Is seeking 6 labourers salary - minimum wage, must be willing to work in the sun, must be willing to lift heavy equipment, work days - Monday to Saturday Contact - 244-2212

WANTED

1 Labourer Salary $6.25 per hour Contact 346-4334

KADEEN AGENCY

Daily activities: Be responsible for server infrastructure support and maintenance (Linux Ubuntu) and Windows Server and workstation; Responsible to troubleshoot electronics systems (TV, Sound Systems, PA Systems); Responsible to troubleshoot Doorlock systems; Responsible to troubleshoot Guest internet and Office internet connection; Provide email configuration and support; Responsible daily POS transaction and report; Responsible OPERA PMS operation; Responsible surveillance camera system. Interested persons can contact our Human Resources Department no later than April 1st, 2016 @ (649) 946-5050 Ext. 1030 Email: sheba.wilson@gracebayclub.com Fax: (649) 946-5758 P.O. Box 128 Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies

Gus Motors

LEYDI SALON & SPA

KOSTCO SUPERSAVERS SEEKS 2 Sales Managers - $12.50 per hour 3 Labourers -$7.00 per hour

On behalf of its client is looking for a Waitress, the person should have a good knowledge of the duties this position requires must be friendly and cordial to guess Salary $6.50 per hour Call 231-6565

Diamond Cleaning Services Seeks 1 Domestic Worker Salary $6.25 per hour Mon-Fri 8:00am to 12:00pm Contact 241-7600 from Mon-Fri between the hours of 9:00am to 4:00pm

Gus Motors is looking for Three (3) Qualified Mechanic Specialized on all cars who can work with little or no supervision. Due date for applications is the 31st March 2016. For further information I can be contacted at 941-5208/231-4681.

DARDS GROCERIES

Bottle Creek North Caicos Seeks 1 Domestic Worker Salary $6.25 per hour Contact 946-7076 or 431-4371

1 Cook - $6.50 per hour 3 Domestic Workers - $6.25 NEEDED 1 Hairstylist Applicant must be honest, reliable & hardworking Contact 244-8579

WANTED Labourer Salary $6.25 per hour 5 days per week Contact 231-1133

Must be able to work flexible hours Contact 941-3739

Mr. Michael Harvey (Contractor)

Seeks 1 Domestic Worker Applicant must be honest, reliable and hardworking Contact 247-5812

MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

CARIBBEAN WORLD

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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CARIBBEAN NEWS

NEWS NEWS

Bahamian Prime Minister gets death threats

Perry Christie Prime Minister Perry Christie last night highlighted a threat made against his life during a recorded meeting purportedly between billionaire fashion mogul Peter Nygard and “gang members”, which is part of a complex alleged murder plot against certain members of the Save the Bays group. Christie was responding in the House of Assembly to Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner, who asserted that the government has “consorted with undesirable foreigners, thugs and criminals”. “On page 222 of transcripts published by the lawyer for Save the Bays, one of the parties, who is being investigated said he could kill Perry Christie, prime minister, or should do so,” Christie said. “That is me, Mr. Speaker. That’s me. That’s part of an investigation, not a joke.” The alleged murder plot against the Save the Bays members is outlined in a 410-page affidavit from John Joseph DiPaolo, an investigator hired out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

In a meeting that reportedly took place on December 11, 2015, one of the “gang members”, allegedly hired by Nygard, to whom DiPaolo referred, purported to inform Nygard that Christie had given assurances that “the land part” was being dealt with on Nygard’s behalf. At one point, Nygard tells the men, “I’m not putting [up] with this [sh**] here now. I passed away $5 million. “Since the PM got me involved it’s cost me five [f________] million dollars of [b_______] [s____]. My time is the most valuable thing and for me to spend time like this is so [f________] unproductive, you know. I got big [f________] things to do, you know.” One of the men tells Nygard, “I don’t like how he is putting you through all these problems, man.” Nygard responds, “No. They, they...” before trailing off. The man then says, “I’d like to kill his [f________] [a___].” Nygard answers, “I think we’re all united in an issue that puts huge pressure on PM now, from every [f______] Cabinet minister, from Gibson, Shane, you guys, everybody. “Without you guys and me they lose the election as you have control of the field and I have control over the [f________] finances, you know.” The tapes, depositions and hundreds of other pages of material have all been included in the Supreme Court filing. A police investigation has been launched into the alleged murder plot. Christie said the threat against his life is a part of that investigation.

Haiti records nearly 100 deaths from cholera Haiti says it has recorded 96 people have died from cholera during the first two months of this year. The Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) said there were also 7, 782 cases of the disease during the period January 1 to February 27. But it said that the trend is towards a decrease in the number of cases following the outbreak U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention described as the worst epidemic of cholera in recent history. Haitians have blamed U.N. peacekeeping troops from Nepal whom they said carried strains of the disease with them, contaminating a large portion of the country’s drinking water. The United Nations initially denied any role in the outbreak, and has refused to redress complaints, claiming immunity under a 1946 convention. In January, a US judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by human rights groups seeking compensation for Haitian victims. The MSPP said that the decline has been observed every week despite the recent rains, saying “this

situation demonstrates of a better capacity to control the transmission in outbreak and at the same time the need to enhance efforts to strengthen the management of cases. “The humanitarian community continues to support the Haitian government in its efforts not only to ensure a rapid and effective response to the cholera epidemic in improving access to drinking water services, sanitation and health, but also to reduce the vulnerability of populations living in the most at-risk cholera areas. “As part of the continuation of this commitment, a humanitarian response plan in which the response to the cholera outbreak is a priority, is being developed,” the MSPP added. But it noted that the number of deaths during the first two months of this year is higher than the same period last year when 67 deaths were recorded. In addition, the Ministry of Health reports that 18 communities, including Cap-Haïtien, Limbé, Pilatte, Port Margot and even some sections of the capital, remain in a red alert.

UNSAVORY During her contribution to the mid-year budget debate, ButlerTurner referred to Nygard as an “unsavory character” who should not be in The Bahamas. She accused the government of being complicit with many “unsavory people”. “What I find most unsavory is the prime minister’s judgment in the characters with whom he has befriended [for] whatever reason; I have an issue with that,” she said. “You see, Mr. Speaker, quite frankly, this man, who they are referring to has come and spoken ill, whether we like the prime minister of The Bahamas or not, he is the prime minister.” She added, “Do we have so much vociferous support on that side because it is alleged; is it in fact the case that there are members sitting in this chamber today that have even deeper business ties with this person?” On a point of order, Christie cautioned against the assertions Butler-Turner made about Nygard’s reported remarks contained in several transcripts “without explaining the... meaning of what he said”. “Mr. Nygard was critical of me as I understood, if those tapes are authentic; critical of me because I did not do what he applied for in his words or what he was asking or what he wanted me to do, whatever the explanation is. “The purpose of that was that Mr. Nygard was critical and remains critical of what I did or did not do with respect to an application he made that is the subject of a court case where we

Peyer Nygard were injuncted and is the subject of a police investigation.” Christie insisted that his “conduct in all of the matters relating to My. Nygard in an application will speak for itself”. He said that will be tested by the court. But Butler-Turner said the prime minister is in an unsavory position when a non-Bahamian can speak ill of the highest office and boast of the campaign contributions he has made. Before Christie responded, Labour Minister Shane Gibson rose on a point of order and highlighted Butler-Turner’s and the FNM’s association with convicted fraudster Derek Turner. Butler-Turner said she could not refute that she knew Turner before becoming a public officer. Acknowledging that Turner is an “unsavory character”, Butler-Turner said he should also not be in the country. Gibson asked Butler-Turner how she could put Nygard, who has not been convicted of any crimes in The Bahamas, in the same category as a convicted criminal.

Butch Stewart seeks compensation from Gleaner newspaper

Jamaican hotelier, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart. Prominent hotelier and businessman Gordon “Butch” Stewart’ Monday said he is taking legal action against the Gleaner newspaper over an article it published last weekend. In a statement, Stewart, who is also the chairman of Appliance Trades LID (ATL) Group, said that the article “had significant negative impact

on the Sandals (hotel) brand, which is the Caribbean’s leading global brand”. According to Stewart the article claimed that his shares in a company had been frozen due to his failure to pay legal costs to a person. Stewart said that the article “is false and defamatory,” adding “this publication was and is factually incorrect. “The freezing order in question is in respect of costs claimed by Jamaica Tours Limited, which is the subject of ongoing litigation in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. “The publication therefore in The Gleaner is false, malicious and defamatory of Mr Stewart and has caused significant damage, not only to his reputation, but the companies which he represents,” the statement said, noting it has also resulted “in significant losses. “The publication was made without any reference to or consultation with Mr Stewart or his representative(s) to verify the truthfulness or otherwise of the story.

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CARIBBEAN NEWS

Barbados and Japan sign agreement to strengthen disaster preparedness

Barbados and Japan have signed a million dollar agreement aimed at reducing Barbados’ vulnerability to disaster and increasing the island’s resilience. The agreement for the Japanese Economic and Social Development Programme was signed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, ahead of the official opening of the Japanese Embassy here on Wednesday. It provides the Barbados government of Barbados with BDS$1.76 million (One Barbados dollar =US$0.50 cents) and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Maxine McClean, noted that the agreement came out of talks held during the CARICOMJapan Friendship year in 2014. She said Japan had committed to provide funding to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) governments in the area of Disaster Risk Reduction, as part of its assistance programme. She said Barbados was grateful for the assistance from Japan and pointed out that the funds would be put to good use.

“As a Small Island Developing State, with a densely populated lowlying coastal zone and tourism-based economy, Barbados has the potential to be severely impacted by meteorological, geological and biological hazards. “Therefore, it is necessary to make strategic investments in reducing risks likely to be faced by Barbadian communities, and this agreement with the Government of Japan contributes to the Government’s overall plan of disaster reduction,” she said. McClean said the agreement would open the doorway for even closer ties between the two countries which would allow for the development of initiatives in areas of mutual interest and lend invaluable support in the context of regional organisations and in international fora. Japan’s Ambassador to Barbados, Mitsuhiko Okada, who signed the agreement, said that his government was aware of the growing sense of urgency that countries in the Caribbean have toward addressing their vulnerabilities to natural disasters and climate change.

Caribbean countries urged to strengthen efforts on cyber security They made the call after releasing a new study on Monday which shows the region is highly vulnerable to potentially devastating cyber-attacks. The 2016 Cyber security report titled “Are we ready in Latin America and the Caribbean?”, was undertaken by the two institutions in collaboration with Oxford University. It showed that four out of every five countries in the region do not have a cyber security strategy or plans for protecting critical infrastructure. The report also shows that two out of three countries do not have a command and control center for cyber security. Additionally, the report says that a large majority of prosecutors lack the capacity to punish cyber crimes and face other problems as well. According to the OAS, the report analyses the state of preparedness of 32 countries based on 49 indicators. It is the first significant examination of the level of preparedness in Latin America and the Caribbean against the growing threat of cybercrime, the OAS said. It said while Uruguay, Brazil, México, Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Trinidad and Tobago have achieved an “intermediate level of preparedness,” they “remain far from advanced countries,” like the United States, Israel, Estonia and the Republic of Korea. “This report is a call to action to protect our citizen and our critical infrastructure for the 21st Century,” said IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno. “Our region arrived late to the Industrial Revolution. We cannot miss the opportunity that the Digital Revolution offers us. Because of that, cybersecurity must be apriority.”

OAS Assistant Secretary General, Nestor Mendez, emphasized that cyber space is increasingly becoming an integral part of the daily life of people in the Americas, including the Caribbean, and is indispensable to their total development. “That is why we have to regard cybersecurity like any other kind of security: an issue of the highest priority for our people, without which we expose ourselves to potentially catastrophic losses,” he said. “In this context, our motto, of ‘more rights for more people’ signals our commitment to continue working to strengthen the capacity of our countries to protect our people, our economies and the critical infrastructure of our region,” he added. The OAS said the risks of abuse increase as Latin America and the Caribbean join the digital revolution. It said the region is the fourth largest mobile market in the world, with half its population using the Internet. The evaluation of the maturity of cybersecurity policies in the region includes 49indicators in five areas: policy and strategy, culture and society education, legal framework and technology. The report includes technical data on each of the countries and analyses key elements such as the legal status and the capacity of each country to respond to incidents. The report notes 16 countries in the region have no coordinated capacity to respond to incidents. Only four rank above the intermediate level of maturity in this respect. Only six have a structured program of education in cyber security, which includes budgetary stability as well as mechanisms for research and the transfer of knowledge, the report states.

An aerial view of Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados “It is our hope that this grant aid programme will significantly reduce disaster damages in Barbados in the future and will aid Barbados in adapting itself to climate change,” he said, adding that even though Barbados had graduated from receiving Official Development Assistance, (ODA) as specified by the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, (OECD) Tokyo decided to make the funds available as it recognised the

importance of disaster risk reduction. “The Development Cooperation Charter established in February 2015, as the foundation of Japan’s development cooperation, recognises that small island countries in the Caribbean have vulnerabilities that are peculiar to small island states. “The Charter stipulates that Japan will provide assistance based on individual development needs while bearing in mind the peculiarities of small island countries,” he said.

Three men extradited to U.S. in drugs case The last three of 11 men involved in a decade-long drug trafficking case were yesterday extradited to the United States to face charges. Shanto Curry, Devroy Moss and Trevor Roberts were all escorted to a private aircraft at Odyssey Aviation under heavy police guard yesterday to face charges stemming from their alleged involvement in a multinational drug smuggling organisation. The hand-over took place shortly after 11am. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean, a warrant of surrender was signed and sealed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell, sanctioning the commissioner of police to hand over Curry, Moss and Roberts to US government officials for extradition. US federal prosecutors had, since 2004, requested the extraditions of Melvin Maycock Sr, Wilfred Ferguson, Carl Culmer, Lynden Deal, Bryan Deal, Sheldon Moore, Gordon Newbold, Torrey Lockhart, Roberts, Curry, and Moss. In November, Court of Appeal Justices Anita Allen, Abdulai Conteh and Neville Adderley upheld the Magistrate’s Court and Supreme Court’s decision to approve the US federal prosecutors’ decade-old request for the extraditions of the men, ordering that they be committed to the Department of Correctional Services to await hand-over to the US. Committal proceedings began

when they were apprehended in 2008. Roberts, Moss and Curry were not surrendered, however, as they had filed a constitutional motion formally challenging the ability of Justice Conteh to sit and hear the appeal in advance of the appellate court’s decision. Earlier this month, however, Justice Vera Watkins dismissed the constitutional applications of the three men, ruling that she did not have the jurisdiction to make a ruling on the same issue that had already been dealt with by the appellate court. Their lawyer, Maurice Glinton, QC, said his clients would subsequently exercise their right to seek leave to appeal the decision. In December, Maycock Sr, Ferguson, Culmer, Lynden and Bryan Deal, Moore, Newbold and Lockhart were extradited to the United States. The Court of Appeal had, prior to their extradition, denied their applications seeking bail and leave to take their case to the Privy Council to contest a Magistrate’s Court’s decision to have them face charges in the US. US Chargé d’Affaires Lisa Johnson at the time said that by denying the applications, the Bahamas government and the courts have sent a strong message that those accused of crimes that jeopardises the safety of Bahamian citizens will not be allowed to hide from justice. She previously said the extradition strikes a blow against organised crime and narcotics trafficking in the Bahamas.

Mutilated and decapitated body found in barrel Trinidad and Tobago police are seeking to identify a woman whose mutilated and decapitated body was found in Manzanilla, south of here stuffed in a barrel on Tuesday night. Police said that the woman’s head was not found. The barrel was found floating down the river by a passer-by and the only identifying mark on the body was

a tattoo with the word “Leo”. Police, who were called to the scene, said that the torso had been stuffed inside the barrel with the woman’s legs protruding from the top. With the assistance of fishermen, police officers brought the barrel to shore. A crocus bag containing the woman’s upper body was found at the bottom of the barrel.

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Fred Mitchell stands by statement regarding Cuban nationals

Foreign and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell has accused the main opposition Free National Movement (FNM) of “standing up for foreigners rather than Bahamians” after the party called on him to make a public statement about the whereabouts of two Cuban nationals freed by a court last month. Last month, Judge Stephen Isaacs ordered the release of the Cuban nationals – Carlos Pupo and Lazaro Seara -who were arrested in Abaco in 2013, and held in detention since then. Human rights groups said that both men claimed abusive treatment at the Carmichael Detention Centre and had staged a 20-day hunger strike in May 2014. The Department of Immigration had earlier denied media reports that the two men were being held without any charges and that they did not qualify for asylum here. Mitchell said then that he noted the decision of the courts with regard to the two Cubans and that the “Department of Immigration takes the position that these individuals are a national security risk. “We continue to support that position. Those were the clear instructions from our principals at the highest levels to pursue that

Foreign and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell. position. Those instructions did not change and were not changed.” But the FNM chairman, Michael Pintard said media reports had indicated that the two men were now residing and working in the United States. “If this is in fact true then the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration is duty bound to explain several important details relative to his public statements about them,” Pintard said, calling on Mitchell to state how the men were now deemed to be a threat to national security. “Does Minister Mitchell have evidence that either or both

men were members of Cuba’s military as he contended when making the case of how dangerous they were?” But in a statement Mitchell said that “it appears once again that the FNM cannot resist standing up for foreigners rather than for Bahamians. “In the face of all the issues facing this country, Mr. Pintard is busy fighting for two Cubans who are wanted in The Bahamas for violating Bahamian immigration laws. I have no further explanation to give. “Everything is in the public record. If he cannot understand, then that is his issue not mine. Just once Mr. Pintard should resist that temptation and simply stand up for Bahamians, period,” Mitchell said in a statement. He said he also wanted to remind Pintard and the FNM “once again that where our national sovereignty is concerned, politics end at the border – that is Politics 101. “Whatever the situation is in the United States is clearly the business of that country. The incontrovertible fact is that these individuals are not wanted in The Bahamas and if they are in The Bahamas will be subject to re-arrest if found to have no immigration status,” Mitchell added.

St. Lucia Government worried at spate of suicides The St. Lucia government Wednesday said it remains deeply perturbed by the recent spate of suicides with the latest occurring in the south of the island on Monday. Acting Prime Minister Philip J Pierre, has reiterated concerns over the emotional and mental state of citizens experiencing depression and other ailments, which have been proven to significantly contribute to suicidal thoughts and tendencies. “To this end, the government of St Lucia continues plans to intensify its engagement civil society to find solutions to the rising incidents of suicides,” Pierre said. In a recent interview, Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony remarked that the country needed to identify persons who are in distress in the various communities. “We have to reach out and touch them and, somehow, see whether we can offer them the opportunity to share their pain, their anger and distress, dissuade them from taking that tragic solution.” Pierre urged his countrymen to utilize the National Health Service helpline adding that the government extend condolences to the families grieving the loss of their loved ones. In the latest incident, police said the body of 56 year-old, Ceasarius Bailey of Augier, south of here, was found at his home with a bottle containing what appeared to be a poisonous substance found nearby. A post mortem to determine the cause of death will be carried out on Wednesday.

UWI promises no decline in commitment to regional students The Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies has given the assurance that the current drive to attract more international students will not impact its commitment to students from Barbados and the Caribbean. With a decline in the student population from 9,000 before the introduction of tuition fees for locals, to 6,065 at present, Cave Hill campus is keen to increase its enrolment figures among as part of an overall strategy to boost its finances. Vice-Chancellor Sir Hillary Beckles told a news conference on Friday following the campus’ council meeting that this is the first stage of a much broader programme of the university. Principal Eudine Barriteau, meanwhile, noted that the campus has the capacity to accommodate up 10,000 students. “And I want everyone to understand quite clearly that our core mission is educating Barbadian and Caribbean students. So we’re attracting international students, but they become the topping up. We’re not going to move from our core mission,” Barriteau told reporters. The campus is currently targeting the Central American countries of Costa Rica, and Panama, and their neighbours to the south,

Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. “We are engaged in conversations with colleagues in Brazil. We have a strong Brazil project on which we are working, and beyond the hemisphere we are looking also at Asia, we’re looking at Africa. “And so what we are trying to do in UWI on all of our campuses, and with Cave Hill taking the lead in this regard, we are seeking to make our programmes, our skills our capacities available on a global basis,” Sir Hilary stated. As it relates to funding for the university, he said the tertiary institution is working with regional governments “to turn the conversation around where the university is not seen as a site for public expenditure, but a site that generates foreign exchange and generates revenue”. According to Sir Hilary, a recent economic impact assessment of the Cave Hill Campus conducted by economics professor Dr Winston Moore showed that as a business enterprise, Cave Hill generates as much foreign exchange on an annual basis as many other sectors in the economy. “The Moore report showed that the Cave Hill campus is a net earner of foreign exchange and contributes about 2.5 per cent to the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of this country,” he noted.

The Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies Sir Hilary announced that the university is also working towards a model where each of the three campuses will see increased enrolment from regional students, as according to him, only Cave hill and the Open Campus are the only ones with significant numbers from the region. “We are working towards a model where 60 percent of the students on each campus would be

drawn from that country because the budget is designed that way. Maybe 30 per cent of those students on each campus are from the wider Caribbean world, so that brings each campus into a Caribbean experience and 10 percent of students from beyond the wider Caribbean,” he said, noting that regional and international students are critical to the university’s income generation.

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With Havana trip, Obama seeks to make history, lock in Cuba opening

Barack Obama’s historic visit to Havana next week may be the closest he comes to a Nixon-goes-to-China moment, but he also has another more practical goal: to make his opening to Cuba irreversible for the next U.S. president. The Obama administration hopes that getting more U.S. companies invested in Cuba and loosening up travel to the island will make it almost impossible for traditionally probusiness Republicans to halt or even roll back the thaw in relations if they win the White House in November. Ahead of his March 20-22 trip to Havana, the stage is set for a further easing of trade restrictions and a string of business announcements from the hotel and telecommunications industries and possibly even Major League Baseball. “The administration wants to do as much as it can unilaterally before the clock runs out,” said a person who has been briefed on Obama’s strategy. What remains to be seen, however, is whether Obama can prod Cuba’s prickly Communist government to reciprocate at least with modest economic reforms that would help ensure his policy sticks. Cuba’s leaders have been slow to loosen their grip on the island’s staterun economy. That plus strict limits that remain under the U.S. economic embargo against Cuba has made many American firms wary. Obama’s critics accuse him of giving up too much in return for too little from Cuban President Raul Castro and now taking a premature “victory lap.” But administration officials

says deeper U.S. engagement should not be contingent on concessions from the former Cold War foe, such as improving its human rights record. Obama and his advisers insist that his outreach to Havana has a better chance of sowing the seeds of eventual change than what they see as a failed U.S. policy of isolation pursued for more than half a century. “This is not a matter of providing concessions,” Obama told CNN en Espanol. “This is a matter of us engaging directly with the Cuban people.” Obama’s visit the first by a U.S. president in 88 years - is meant to showcase that approach. But it is also a gamble for a U.S. leader whose strategy of engaging adversaries has had mixed results. Locking in his Cuba opening would make it a major piece of his legacy. Obama has relied on executive powers to jump-start the normalization of ties given continued resistance in Congress to lifting the long-standing U.S. embargo. His challenge is to advance the process to the point that no successor could unravel it. Cuba has not figured heavily in the 2016 presidential race but it could emerge, especially in Florida, a swing state and home to the largest Cuban-American community. For decades, Cuban-Americans were broadly opposed to any rapprochement but a younger generation has warmed to Obama’s policy shift. Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have pledged to stick with Obama’s opening to Cuba if elected. Republican frontrunner

U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro meet at the United Nations General Assembly in New York September 29, 2015. Donald Trump said last week the old policy needed to be changed but he would renegotiate with Cuba for a better deal. His challengers, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, both CubanAmericans, said they would reverse Obama’s approach altogether. Despite that, Obama told CNN en Espanol he believes Congress will remove the embargo in the next administration, whether Democrat or a Republican – though he acknowledged there were not yet enough votes. It would be hard for many Republicans to join any effort to overturn Obama’s measures if the White House succeeds in greenlighting enough corporate projects in Cuba, congressional aides said. AT&T Inc, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc and Marriott International Inc are expected to sign deals around the time of Obama’s visit. Most companies remain cautious, however, because of Cuba’s dualcurrency system, rigid labor market and opaque legal system. “There are still some frustrations,” said James Williams, president of Engage Cuba, a pro-trade lobbying group. “But they are not

insurmountable.” Some of those concerns may be eased if Washington lifts restrictions on using dollars in Cuba trade transactions, a move that one source said could come before Obama’s trip. U.S. airlines have already rushed to apply for routes to the island, and new travel rules set to be announced this week are expected to make it easier for more Americans to travel to Cuba independently rather than in group tours. That in turn could boost public support for normal relations. Ben Rhodes, an Obama adviser who helped secure the breakthrough with Cuba in December 2014, said the administration has told Cuban leaders the impact of U.S. regulatory changes will be limited unless they do more to reform their economy. U.S. officials will pay close attention to Cuba’s Communist Party Congress, set to convene in April for the first time since 2011. Still, they acknowledge that the prospects remain dim for influencing democratic reform, even though Obama plans to meet dissidents in Havana.

Identical twins share everything, including a boyfriend and a bed

Identical twins Anna and Lucy DeCinque, 30, are so identical they actually share a boyfriend. “We’ve had separate boyfriends before, but they didn’t understand our closeness. Ben understands we want to be together all the time,” the recently told an Australian television station. “”He’s a twin and he understands the bonds. He understands the twin thing and the very close bond we have with each other.” The women have spent nearly $250,000 on cosmetic surgeries over the past 10 years to ensure they look exactly alike. Of their shared boyfriend, Anna and Lucy said: “It just works.” The three share a “super kingsized bed”. “He never favours one twin. If he kisses me he’ll kiss my sister straight afterwards. There’s no jealousy. There’s no separation between us,” they said. The twins said their previous relationships with separate boyfriends had failed “because we’re with each other 24/7, every single day, every minute of our life together”. The sisters gained national attention several years ago following their significant breast enhancements and have since appeared on Japanese

and German TV “So we didn’t shows. really give Ben They a go for like started their the first six own Youtube months … [but] channel last we spoke to him year and have every night and used their there was a videos to trust in it and explain how the first night they feel each we met him we other’s pain kissed him.” and know when They have the other is sick. been dating “We’ve electrical become a lot mechanic Ben closer since Twins Byrne, 32, for our dad passed four years and away, that was when we were in have told SBS current affairs program high school about 10 years ago, but Insight that they must have children we’ve always been identical,” they at the same time, because their bodies told Insight. “We’ve always shared “must be the same”. everything, but now more so, because Of their boyfriend’s role in we’re becoming a lot more older.” their pregnancy plan, the sisters said: The pair met Mr Byrne via “Yeah, he’s got a lot of work. He needs Facebook at the suggestion of mutual twice the energy.” friends. But they said one or the other “It’s funny, he’s like the chosen would consider undertaking IVF in a one, they say,” the sisters said. “We bid to ensure they were both pregnant met him on Facebook and we started at the same time. talking to him. We didn’t believe he However, it is not imperative was a twin because guys always say that their children be born at the ‘oh, I’m a twin, let’s date’ and we just same time, or even on the same day, thought, you know, they were joking they said. all the time. “[We] just have to be pregnant

at the same time,” one said. “Yeah, we just want to be the same in everything,” the other added. The sisters share a job, car and Facebook account and go to extraordinary lengths to eat the same things at the same time, and even move in the same way at the same time. “If she walks a few metres I need to walk a few metres, because we have to burn the same calories,” one said. “That’s us, I want my body to look the same as my sister’s, we don’t want to weigh differently and I know we never will.” The pair joined Insight to discuss how identical twins change and develop as they get older. The first episode of the two-part program was broadcast on Tuesday. For social and scientific researchers, twins are “the perfect natural experiment”, the program said. Identical twins share 99.9 per cent of the same DNA, while fraternal (nonidentical) twins share half. Overall, about one in 80 births in Australia is a twin, and of those about 30 per cent are identical. There are about 400,000 twins across the country, according to the Australian Twin Register.

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North Korea sentences US Judge to hear lawyers’ tourist to 15 years in prison plea to let Cosby’s PYONGYANG, North Korea North Korea’s highest court sentenced an American tourist to 15 years in prison with hard labor for subversion on Wednesday, weeks after authorities presented him to media and he tearfully confessed that he had tried to steal a propaganda banner. Otto Warmbier, 21, a University of Virginia undergraduate, was convicted and sentenced in a one-hour trial in North Korea’s Supreme Court. He was charged with subversion under Article 60 of North Korea’s criminal code. The court held that he had committed a crime “pursuant to the U.S. government’s hostile policy toward (the North), in a bid to impair the unity of its people after entering it as a tourist.” North Korea regularly accuses Washington and Seoul of sending spies to overthrow its government to enable the U.S.-backed South Korean government to take control of the Korean Peninsula. Tensions are particularly high following North Korea’s recent nuclear test and rocket launch, and massive joint military exercises now underway between the U.S. and South Korea that the North sees as a dress rehearsal for invasion. The University of Virginia said it was aware of news reports about Warmbier and remained in touch with his family, but would have no additional comment at this time. A message seeking comment from Warmbier’s family was left at a Wyoming, Ohio,

telephone listing for his father, Fred Warmbier. Susanna Max, a spokeswoman for Wyoming City Schools, said last month that the district, where Otto Warmbier attended school, had been in touch with the family. She said Wednesday that the district continues “to respect their privacy” and declines to comment. Before the trial, Warmbier had said he tried to steal a propaganda banner as a trophy for an acquaintance who wanted to hang it in her church. That would be grounds in North Korea for a subversion charge. He identified the church as Friendship United Methodist Church. Meshach Kanyion, pastor of the church in Wyoming, declined to comment Wednesday. Ohio Gov. and Republican presidential hopeful John Kasich issued a statement Wednesday calling on North Korea to immediately release Warmbier and let him return to his family. “His detention was completely unjustified and the sentence North Korea imposed on him is an affront to concepts of justice,” Kasich said. Trials for foreigners facing similar charges in North Korea are generally short and punishments severe. Warmbier was arrested as he tried to leave the country in early January. He was in North Korea with a New Year’s tour group. U.S. tourism to North Korea is legal. Arrests of tourists are rare but the U.S. State Department strongly advises against such travel. Further complicating

matters, Washington and Pyongyang do not have diplomatic relations. The Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang acts as a go-between in consular issues when U.S. citizens run afoul of North Korean authorities. North Korea announced Warmbier’s arrest in late January, saying he committed an anti-state crime with “the tacit connivance of the U.S. government and under its manipulation.” It remains unclear how the U.S. government was allegedly connected to Warmbier’s actions. Warmbier had been staying at the Yanggakdo International Hotel. It is common for sections of tourist hotels to be reserved for North Korean staff and off-limits to foreigners. In a tearful statement made before his trial, Warmbier told a gathering of reporters in Pyongyang he was offered a used car worth $10,000 if he could get a propaganda banner and was also told that if he was detained and didn’t return, $200,000 would be paid to his mother in the form of a charitable donation. Warmbier said he accepted the offer because his family was “suffering from very severe financial difficulties.” Warmbier also said he had been encouraged by the university’s “Z Society,” which he said he was trying to join. The magazine of the university’s alumni association describes the Z Society as a “semisecret ring society” founded in 1892 that conducts philanthropy, puts on honorary dinners and grants academic awards.

Flint families file lawsuits over children poisoned by water

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder’s resignation. Flint, a predominantly black city of 100,000, was under the control of a state-appointed emergency manager when it switched its water source for cost reasons. It was switched back last October after tests found high levels of lead in blood samples taken from children. Stern said the varying effects of lead poisoning on children Demonstrators protest over the Flint, Michigan contaminated water crisis outside of the makes individual lawsuits more venue where the Democratic U.S. presidential candidates’ debate was being held in Flint, appropriate than class actions. He Michigan in this March 6, 2016. expects to file lawsuits covering 25 A group of Flint families monetary damages from more children next week. with children has filed new engineering firms Lockwood, Even small amounts of lead lawsuits in the Michigan city’s Andrews & Newnam and Rowe can cause permanent damage, water crisis, accusing private Professional Services Co, two particularly in children. companies of professional companies involved in carrying A Lockwood Andrews negligence and government out the switch of the city’s water representative said the firm’s work employees of misconduct that led supply from Lake Huron to the addressed specific components of to the contamination of the water Flint River in April 2014. the water treatment plant, not the supply. The more corrosive river overall water quality. The lawsuits filed on water caused lead to leach into the Veolia said it was hired by Thursday in Genesee County court, water from the pipes. Flint to study the residual impact along with nine filed earlier in Water consultants Veolia of the city’s chlorination process March, cover 50 children allegedly North America, which was hired in and stands by its work. The city suffering from lead poisoning from early 2015 to review Flint’s water conducted lead tests through drinking Flint water. The cases quality and found it complied with another company, Veolia said. were all brought by Corey Stern, a standards, is also a defendant. The lawsuits brought New York attorney who specializes The state’s slow response by Stern also accuse two state in child lead poisoning cases. to the crisis has generated wide employees and a city employee of The lawsuits seek criticism and some calls for gross negligence.

wife skip deposition

Comedian Bill Cosby, his wife Camille (R), and actress Ruby Dee (C) arrive for the Apollo Theatre’s 75th anniversary gala in New York, June 8, 2009. Attorneys for Bill Cosby’s wife will get a chance next month to try to persuade a U.S. magistrate judge to spare their client from further questions related to a lawsuit filed by seven women who say the comedian sexually assaulted them. In a February deposition related to the case, Camille Cosby, who also manages her husband’s business, faced a series of questions on her sex life, her political views and her son’s 1997 death, her attorneys said in a federal court filing. “These questions were irrelevant to the issues in this case and plainly were designed to annoy, embarrass, and oppress the witness,” Camille Cosby’s attorneys wrote. U.S. Magistrate Judge David Hennessy on Wednesday agreed to hear the attorneys’ arguments on April 13. Camille Cosby is currently scheduled to be deposed again on April 18. Camille Cosby, 71, has stood by her husband of 52 years, an entertainer who made a career of family-friendly comedy. Over the past few years, more than 50 women have accused Cosby of sexually assaulting them in alleged attacks dating back decades. Cosby, 78, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. Tamara Green, a former aspiring model and singer who alleges Cosby drugged and sexually abused her, filed the Massachusetts civil lawsuit in December 2014. She was later joined by six other women who say Cosby sexually assaulted them and defamed them by calling them liars. Most of Cosby’s alleged crimes date too far back to be prosecuted. Pennsylvania officials last year criminally charged Cosby with sexually assaulting a woman in 2005.

A small Construction Company based in Providenciales is looking to recruit carpenters with experience working in the construction of high end villas in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Remuneration is $12 per hour, and applicants are required to have own transport and a clean valid driver’s license. Applications must be submitted to: Employment Department F Corporate & Management Services Limited Tel 649-339-6275 Fax 649-333-7777 Email oa@fcorporatemsl.com

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Trump warns of riots, pulls plug on Republican presidential debate Republican Party leaders are appalled at Trump’s incendiary rhetoric and reject policies such as his vow to deport 11 million illegal immigrants, temporarily ban Muslims from the United Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks about the results States and build a wall along of the Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois and Missouri primary elections during the Mexican border. The party tried to play a news conference held at his Mar-A-Lago Club, in Palm Beach, Florida, March down his riot comments, only 15, 2016. days after Trump supporters Republican front- delegates required, enabling and protesters clashed at runner Donald Trump warned the party’s establishment to a rally for the Republican on Wednesday of riots if he is put forward another name in Chicago that was later denied the party’s presidential at the July convention in scrapped. nomination and pulled the Cleveland to formally pick its “First of all, I assume plug on a scheduled debate candidate. he is speaking figuratively,” among candidates, raising the In an interview with Republican National temperature even more in a CNN on Wednesday, Trump Committee spokesman Sean heated White House race. said the party could not deny Spicer told CNN. The outspoken New him the nomination should he Recent outbreaks of York businessman scored big fail to win enough delegates. violence during protests at wins in primaries in Florida, “I don’t think you Trump rallies have prompted Illinois and North Carolina can say that we don’t get it President Barack Obama, a on Tuesday, bringing him automatically. I think you’d Democrat, and mainstream closer to the 1,237 convention have riots. I think you’d have Republican figures to speak delegates he needs to win the riots. I’m representing many, out against the billionaire. nomination. many millions of people.” David Farber, a professor Trump also claimed While the Republicans of modern American history victory in Missouri but lost were mired deeper in turmoil, at Temple University in the crucial state of Ohio, and Hillary Clinton won victories Philadelphia, said that, left the door open for those in in at least four states on though there have been many the party trying to stop him Tuesday that put her in episodes of violent unrest at from becoming the Republican good shape to defeat Senator American political events, not nominee for the Nov. 8 election. Bernie Sanders of Vermont least the 1968 Democratic Trump might fall and win the Democratic convention, Trump’s warning short of the majority of Party’s nomination. of a riot is unprecedented.

Michigan prosecutor arrested, charged with prostitution, pandering The top prosecutor in central Michigan’s Ingham County was arrested on Monday and charged with 15 criminal counts, including felony pandering and multiple prostitution misdemeanors, the state’s attorney general said. Stuart Dunnings, 63, has been the elected chief prosecutor of the county, which includes the capital city Lansing, for close to two decades. He was being held at the Ingham County Jail and was awaiting arraignment. The charges against Dunnings came out of a 2015 federal investigation of human trafficking and prostitution, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said in a statement. Schuette said Dunnings has been an outspoken advocate for ending human trafficking and prostitution, even as he allegedly used escort sites to find multiple prostitutes and pay for sex hundreds of times in three counties between 2010-2015. “Furthermore, evidence showed that Dunnings also allegedly induced a woman to become a prostitute who had not previously been one, resulting in the charge of pandering, a 20-year felony,”

Schuette’s statement said. Charges were filed in four different courts in three counties. They include counts of willful neglect of duty for blatantly violating the law when he was a prosecutor. Dunnings faces a sentence of as many as 26-1/2 years if found guilty of all of the charges. Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor John Dewane, who is handling media inquiries for the prosecutor’s office, has not responded to a request for comment. No attorney has been identified for Dunnings. The federal investigation that led to charges against Dunnings also led to federal human trafficking charges against Tyrone Smith, the alleged leader of a prostitution ring that worked across state borders. Smith pleaded guilty in November and awaits sentencing on three counts of sex trafficking. As lead prosecutor, Dunnings cracked down on prostitutes and johns, according to the Lansing State Journal. In 2001 his office began imposing harsher sanctions such as charging prostitutes and clients with felonies on third offenses, and impounding johns’ vehicles.

The nearest modern comparison would be former Alabama Governor George Wallace, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 1968 as a third-party candidate, Farber said “We’re in a situation somewhat like the 1960s in the United States, a period of great polarization,” Farber said, “and there just isn’t a lot of common ground, and Trump supporters feel a lot of quiet desperation that Trump is helping to fan the flames of.” In comments likely to raise more concern in the Republican establishment about Trump’s lack of experience and temperament, the former reality TV show host said he was for the most part his own foreign affairs adviser. “I’m speaking with myself, number one, because I have a very good brain,” he told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” show. “I know what I’m doing. ... My primary consultant is myself.” Trump’s closest national challenger is firstterm U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, who prides himself in being a grassroots conservative often at odds

with Republican leaders. He too warned of severe reactions against an attempt to stage a socalled brokered convention or contested convention to install a Republican candidate supported by party leaders. “I think that would be an absolute disaster. I think the people would quite rightly revolt,” Cruz told CNN. A brokered convention is a complicated process of sequential votes that opens the way for horse trading. The Republican establishment’s bid to stop Trump may have come too late as the field of candidates has dwindled to only three, with Trump, 69, in command ahead of Cruz, 45, and Ohio Governor John Kasich, 63, who won his state’s Republican primary on Tuesday and is the last moderate Republican presidential candidate standing. Growing in confidence, Trump pulled out of a Republican debate scheduled for Monday in Utah, saying it clashed with a speech he plan to give to a pro-Israel group. Debate hosts Fox News then canceled the event.

Pennsylvania man to plead guilty to hacking celebrities’ email, iCloud accounts

Actress Jennifer Lawrence arrives at the 88th Academy Awards nominees luncheon in Beverly Hills, California in this February 8, 2016. A Pennsylvania man has agreed to plead guilty to a felony computer hacking charge after authorities said he illegally accessed private phone and email accounts of celebrities such as Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence to leak information including nude pictures. The U.S. attorney for the Central District of California charged Ryan Collins, 36, from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, according to court documents filed on Tuesday. Collins signed a plea agreement to plead guilty to a felony violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. He faces up to five years in federal prison, with a recommended prison term of 18 months and a fine of $250,000. The case has been transferred from California to the Middle District of Pennsylvania, where Collins is expected to surrender and plead guilty. He will be sentenced at a later date. While no victims were named in the court documents, Lawrence

and other celebrities such as actresses Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union and model Kate Upton addressed the leak and online dissemination of their nude photos in interviews. Representatives for Lawrence, Dunst, Union and Upton did not return Reuters’ requests for comment on Wednesday. Prosecutors said in court documents that between November 2012 and September 2014, Collins “knowingly, intentionally, and in furtherance of criminal and tortious acts” accessed at least 50 Apple iCloud accounts and about 72 Google Gmail accounts belonging to more than 100 people. Known as a ‘phishing’ scam, Collins used fraudulent email disguised to impersonate legitimate security services, such as “email. protection318@icloud.com,” and requesting usernames and passwords from the victims, according to prosecutors. By doing so, Collins accessed the iCloud accounts, used for online data storage, for 18 celebrities and downloaded the backed-up data that included nude pictures and videos, court documents said. It is not the first time a suspected hacker has been charged with leaking celebrity nude photos. A Florida man was sentenced in 2012 to 10 years in prison for hacking into email accounts of Scarlett Johansson, Mila Kunis and Christina Aguilera to leak private information and nude photographs.

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WORLD NEWS

Putin says Russians to start withdrawing from Syria, as peace talks resume

President Vladimir Putin announced out of the blue on Monday that “the main part” of Russian armed forces in Syria would start to withdraw, telling his diplomats to step up the push for peace as U.N.-mediated talks resumed on ending the five-year-old war. Damascus rejected any suggestion of a rift with Moscow, saying President Bashar al-Assad had agreed on the “reduction” of Russian forces in a telephone call with Putin. Western diplomats speculated that Putin may be trying to press Assad into accepting a political settlement to the war, which has killed 250,000 people, although U.S. officials saw no sign yet of Russian forces preparing to pull out. The anti-Assad opposition expressed bafflement, with a spokesman saying, “Nobody knows what is in Putin’s mind”. Russia’s military intervention in Syria in September helped to turn the tide of war in Assad’s favor after months of gains in western Syria by rebel fighters, who were aided by foreign military supplies including U.S.-made anti-tank missiles. Putin made his surprise announcement, that came with no advance word to the United States, at a meeting with his defense and foreign ministers. Russian forces had largely fulfilled their objectives in Syria, Putin said. But he gave no deadline for the completion of the withdrawal and said forces would remain at a seaport and airbase in Syria’s Latakia province.

the warring sides in Syria resumed in Geneva. In Damascus, the Syrian presidency said in a statement that Assad had agreed to the reduction in the Russian air force presence, and denied suggestions it reflected a difference between the two countries “The whole subject happened in complete coordination between the Russian and Syrian sides, and is a step that was carefully and accurately studied for some time,” the statement said, adding that Moscow had Russian President Vladimir Putin meets Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the Kremlin in Moscow, promised to continue support for Syria Russia, March 14, 2016. in “confronting terrorism.” In Geneva, United Nations Putin said at the Kremlin Syria regards all rebel groups mediator Staffan de Mistura told the meeting that he was ordering the fighting Assad as terrorists. warring parties there was no “Plan B” withdrawal from Tuesday of “the main Rebels and opposition officials other than a resumption of conflict if part of our military contingent” from alike reacted skeptically. the first of three rounds of talks that the country. “I don’t understand the aim to agree a “clear roadmap” for “The effective work of our Russian announcement, it’s a surprise, Syria failed to make progress. military created the conditions for the like the way they entered the war. Putin and U.S. President start of the peace process,” he said. “I God protect us,” said Fadi Ahmad, Barack Obama spoke by phone on believe that the task put before the spokesman for the First Coastal Monday about Syria, with the Kremlin defense ministry and Russian armed Division, a Free Syria Army group saying the two leaders “called for an forces has, on the whole, been fulfilled.” fighting in the northwest. intensification of the process for a With the participation of Opposition spokesman Salim political settlement” to the conflict. the Russian military, Syrian armed al-Muslat demanded a total Russian The White House said Obama forces “have been able to achieve a withdrawal. “Nobody knows what is in welcomed the reduction in violence fundamental turnaround in the fight Putin’s mind, but the point is he has since the beginning of the cessation against international terrorism”, he no right to be in be our country in the of hostilities but “underscored that a added. first place. Just go,” he said. political transition is required to end Kremlin spokesman Dmitry A European diplomat was the violence in Syria.” Peskov said Putin had telephoned also skeptical. “It has the potential to A U.S. official, speaking the Syrian president to inform him put a lot of pressure on Assad and the on condition of anonymity, said of the decision, but the two leaders timing fits that,” the diplomat said. Washington was encouraged by Putin’s had not discussed Assad’s future, the “However, I say potentially announcement but that it was too biggest obstacle to reaching a peace because we’ve seen before with Russia early to say what it means, whether agreement. that what’s promised isn’t always he will carry it out and what may have The move was announced on what happens.” motivated it. the day U.N.-brokered talks involving

Obama’s prisoner clemency plan faltering as cases pile up

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks to reporters during his visit to the El Reno Federal Correctional Institution outside Oklahoma City in this July 16, 2015. In April 2014, the of unprocessed cases, administration of President sparking concern within the Barack Obama announced administration and among the most ambitious clemency justice reform advocates program in 40 years, inviting over the fate of what was thousands of jailed drug meant to be legacy-defining offenders and other convicts achievement for Obama. to seek early release and More than 8,000 urging lawyers across the cases out of more than country to take on their 44,000 federal inmates who cases. applied have yet to make Nearly two years it to the U.S. Department later the program is of Justice (DOJ) for review, struggling under a deluge lawyers involved in the

program told Reuters. That is in addition to about 9,000 cases that are still pending at the DOJ, according to the department’s own figures. Only 187 inmates have had their sentences commuted, far below the thousands expected by justice reform advocates and a tiny fraction of the 2.2 million people behind bars in the United States, which has the world’s highest incarceration rate. The administration said it wanted to decide on all the applications before Obama’s term ends next January, when the program will automatically expire. A senior DOJ official told Reuters it is calling on the lawyers’ group -- Clemency Project 2014 -- to simply hand over the outstanding cases without further vetting, saying it is not working fast enough. So

far, the group estimates it has handed over around 200 cases. But criminal justice experts say the administration itself should bear much of the blame. The idea to tap pro-bono attorneys to help vet the cases originated with the DOJ, and critics say it should have prepared its own staff to handle the large volume of applications. “It’s unfair to criticize the volunteer group that you asked to help,” said Rachel Barkow, a criminal law professor at New York University who has studied clemency in U.S. prisons. She estimates that about 1,500 prisoners should be eligible for commutation, saying the 187 granted so far does not “fulfill the promise of the program.” The DOJ declined to comment when asked for its

response to such criticism. The delays have left prisoners like Linda Byrnes, 69, in limbo. “I thought clemency was for people like me,” Byrnes told Reuters through an electronic messaging system from a federal prison in Alderson, West Virginia. Byrnes, who has spent 20 years in prison for distributing marijuana and has two years left on her sentence, was recently diagnosed with mouth cancer and has yet to hear whether she has been assigned a lawyer after submitting her application to Clemency Project in August 2014. Obama, who has commuted more sentences than the past five presidents combined, has been a stern critic of harsh U.S. sentencing policies that he says have disproportionately burdened minorities.

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WORLD NEWS BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY Verizon signs direct connection agreement with Cuba

Apple signs up for Google’s cloud services: Re/code

An Apple iPhone is pictured next to the logo of Apple in Bordeaux, southwestern France, February 26, 2016. Apple Inc recently started using Google’s cloud service even as it simultaneously builds its own data centers to reduce its reliance on third-party service providers, technology news website Re/code reported, citing sources familiar with the deal. Apple currently also uses

: An advertisement for Verizon is seen at Times Square in New York, May 12, 2015. A unit of telecoms multinational Verizon Communications signed a direct interconnection agreement with the Cuban state monopoly Etecsa, expanding on existing roaming services in the Caribbean country, Etecsa said in a statement on Monday. Verizon last September became the first U.S.-based wireless company to offer roaming in Cuba, taking advantage of U.S. President Barack Obama’s move to open relations with a former Cold War adversary of the United States. Rival Sprint Corp in November signed the first direct roaming agreement with Etecsa. The U.S. trade embargo of Cuba remains in place, but the Obama administration issued new regulations a year ago shortly after detente that allow U.S. telecommunications companies to do business with the Cuban state. Under the embargo, phone calls between the United States and Cuba have mostly been completed through third-party countries, adding expense and reducing quality. Text and data services only became available to U.S.-based users with the Sprint and Verizon deals last year. Etecsa said it reached a deal with Verizon Partner Solutions after an undisclosed period of negotiations. “The service agreement will initially allow the offering of voice services through direct interconnection between the two countries and will be operational once implementation and technical testing requirements are completed by both companies,”Etecsa said. While most of Obama’s commercial opening to Cuba has focused on the small but growing private sector in the Communist-governed country, the White House also allowed deals with the state-owned telecommunications company, saying it would benefit ordinary Cubans. The Cuban government responded quickly in signing deals with Verizon and Sprint, while it has yet to allow its private sector to import farm implements or construction materials, two other areas of trade that Obama has permitted through regulation.

Amazon.com Inc’s and Microsoft Corp’s cloud services, but intends to end its reliance on all its rivals in the next few years, Recode said. The iPhone maker is spending between $400 million and $600 million on Google’s cloud services, tech magazine CRN reported, adding that it was

unclear if the range was for an annual rate or a set amount of capacity. CRN said Apple has also significantly reduced its reliance on Amazon since signing up with Google late last year. Apple, Amazon and Alphabet Inc-owned Google could not be reached for comment outside regular U.S. business hours. Apple said last February that it would spend a combined $3.9 billion to build three data centers in Arizona, Ireland and Denmark. The Arizona facility is planned to be a command center to manage its other data centers. Google has also been pushing to gain share in the fastgrowing market. In November, the company appointed industry veteran Diane Greene to run its cloud business. Last month, Google signed a deal to provide cloud services for online music streaming platform Spotify.

China’s Anbang challenges Marriott with $13 billion Starwood offer China’s Anbang Insurance Group Co has challenged Marriott International Inc’s (MAR.O) merger with U.S. hotel operator Starwood with a $12.8 billion cash offer, burnishing its credentials as one of China’s top corporate acquirers. The non-binding bid, unveiled on Monday, just days after Anbang agreed to acquire Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc from buyout firm Blackstone Group LP (BX.N) for $6.5 billion, would represent by far the biggest Chinese investment in U.S. real estate assets. Chinese insurers are rushing to acquire high-yielding assets as they struggle to keep up with the policy liabilities of the country’s aging population. U.S. assets are also seen as a good hedge against any future weakness in the yuan. The head of China’s insurance regulator, Xiang Junbo, wrote in January in a magazine published by the country’s central bank that Chinese insurers should venture overseas for investments. These investments, however, are not without hurdles. Anbang’s $2 billion acquisition of the iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, which was completed last year, attracted scrutiny from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which reviews deals over possible national security concerns. U.S. President Barack

Obama used to stay at that hotel when visiting United Nations headquarters in New York. While there is no indication that a potential acquisition of Starwood by Anbang would raise concerns about potential espionage, experts said it was possible such a deal would also trigger a CFIUS review. One Starwood property for example, the W Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C. overlooks the U.S. Treasury. However, CFIUS issues with individual hotels could be remedied through divestments or other measures. “Anything with a line of sight to a major U.S. government entity or security facility has to be a questionable part of the transaction and needs to be assessed by CFIUS,” said Mike Wessel, a member of the congressional U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. Anbang plans to keep Starwood’s corporate headquarters in the U.S. and not implement any layoffs, according to a person familiar with the company’s plans. Marriott said it remained committed to its cashand-stock deal with Starwood, which would create the world’s largest hotel chain with top brands including Sheraton, Ritz Carlton and the Autograph Collection. Starwood said it received a waiver from Marriott that allows it to engage in discussions

with Anbang’s consortium. The waiver expires on March 18. Marriott’s deal, inked in November, currently values Starwood at $67.22 per share, below Anbang’s $76 per share offer. Starwood’s shares rose 8.1 percent in afternoon trading to $76.14. Marriott shares were up 3.1 percent at $71. “Anbang’s nonbinding offer places Starwood shareholders in the difficult position of choosing between Marriott’s bird-in-a-hand firm commitment and Anbang’s two-in-the-bush offer,” Nomura Securities analyst Harry Curtis wrote in a note to clients. Marriott may slightly improve the terms of its offer and emerge as the winning bidder, Curtis said. The Anbang-led consortium includes private equity firms J.C. Flowers & Co and Primavera Capital Group, a source close to the parties said. J.C. Flowers and Primavera did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Beijing-based Anbang’s bid for Starwood epitomizes its meteoric rise since it was founded in 2014 with an original focus on car insurance. Thanks to a spate of dealmaking at home and aboard, privately-held Anbang now manages more than 1.9 trillion yuan ($292.3 billion) in assets, according to its website. Its chairman Wu Xiaohui married the granddaughter of former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping.

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Durability tests: Samsung phones survive water, not falls You can dunk Samsung’s new smartphones in water, but don’t drop them on a sidewalk, a new study finds. SquareTrade, a company that offers extendedprotection plans for gadgets, said the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge still functioned after being submerged in water for 30 minutes. Audio was “permanently muffled and distorted” after the dunking, but the Samsung phones still outlasted Apple’s iPhones in SquareTrade’s water tests. The study, released Monday, also found that Samsung’s new phones are

more prone to breaking than the iPhone 6S, which survived 30 seconds in a tumbling test chamber, similar to a dryer without heat. The test is meant to mimic repeated drops phones often face. Both Samsung models had minor cracks on the screens and significant damage to their backs. The iPhone 6S Plus, a larger version of the 6S, did worse. Its screen completely shattered in SquareTrade’s tests. The screens of all four phones cracked when dropped face down on a sidewalk. The Samsung phones also cracked when dropped on their corners, while the iPhones had only

cosmetic damage, according to SquareTrade. Samsung Electronics in Seoul, South Korea would not comment on the study. The new Samsung phones came out Friday. They’re not designed to be used underwater the touch screens don’t function until dry — but Samsung promises that the phones can still work after spending up to 30 minutes in up to five feet of water. That covers accidental drops in toilets and bathtubs, and exposure in a rainstorm, though pools and oceans may introduce other contaminants, A waterproof Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge mobile phone is submersed in water during a preview of Samsung’s flagship store, Samsung 837, in New such as chlorine and salt. York’s Meatpacking District.

How to hack a sex toy: tech firms warn public on growing cyber-risks It’s not just computers and mobile phones that are vulnerable to cyber attack, according to software firm Trend Micro. As more devices are hooked up to the Internet, it could be anything from medical equipment to industrial machinery - and even sex toys. To illustrate the point, Trend Micro spokesman Udo Schneider surprised journalists at a news conference this week by placing a large, neon-pink vibrator on the desk in front of him and then bringing it to life by typing out a few lines of code on his laptop. While the stunt provoked sheepish giggles, the message was sobering. As the number of smart, interactive devices connected to the Internet explodes, concern is mounting about insufficient safeguards and a lack of consumer and employee awareness. “If I hack a vibrator it’s just fun,” Raimund Genes, Chief Technology Officer at Tokyo-listed

Trend Micro, told reporters at the CeBIT technology fair in Hanover. “But if I can get to the back-end, I can blackmail the manufacturer,” he added, referring to the programming system behind a device’s interface. Germany, host of CeBIT and home to world champion manufacturers, offers rich pickings for hackers, and attacks on industrial production sites are rising, according to the government’s latest IT Security Report. In 2014, a German steel mill suffered “massive damage” following a cyber attack on the plant’s network. In recent weeks, several German hospitals have come under attack from Ransomware, a virus that encrypts data on infected machines and demands that users pay to get an electronic key to unlock it. The German government got its own wake-up call last year, when hackers attacked the lower house of parliament’s computer network, forcing it to shut down the system for

several days and compromising large amounts of data. “If someone decided to start shooting with a pistol from the roof of the Reichstag (parliament), security guards would be all over them. But when data are siphoned off for months, no one bats an eyelid,” said Dirk Arendt, director of public affairs at Israeli cyber security firm Check Point Software Technologies. “There is a lack of awareness.” Responding to the growing cyber threat, Germany approved an IT security law last July that orders 2,000 providers of critical infrastructure to implement minimum security standards and report serious breaches or face penalties. Fifty-one percent of companies have been victims of digital espionage, data theft or sabotage in the past two years, according to IT lobby group Bitkom. The threat is more acute among Germany’s small-to-mediumsized manufacturers, known as the

Mittelstand, where two-thirds of firms registered attacks. As companies move to connect machinery to the Internet to enable it to collect and exchange data and make it easier to control remotely, 84 percent of managers expect the risks to rise, according to Deutsche Telekom’s Cyber Security Report. While Germans are vigilant about data protection because of their experience of state surveillance by the Stasi secret police in East Germany and the Gestapo under the Nazis, Arendt said more attention needed to be paid to data security. Employees need to be made aware of the dangers of opening suspicious-looking PDFs in the same way that motorists are warned by giant roadside signs not to speed, he added. “We only wake up when the damage is done,” he said. “There are enough examples of successful hacking cases. Now the next steps need to be taken to get back into a secure area.”

Sony PlayStation VR to launch globally in October, cost $399 Sony Corp announced on Tuesday that its virtual reality headset for PlayStation will launch globally in October for $399, a move that undercuts its biggest competitor by hundreds of dollars. Andrew House, head of Sony’s gaming division, made the announcement during a press event at the Video Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, where virtual reality gaming counterpart Oculus Rift announced its headset a day earlier. The headset, a visorstyle frame with a 5.7 inch (14.5 centimeters) screen, includes 360 degree head tracking, a 100 degree field of vision and latency of 18 milliseconds between the time a user’s head moves and the time they see the correct image. House said the company wanted the highly anticipated headset

Components of Sony’s PlayStation VR, including Playstation Move motion controllers at bottom right, are displayed during an event in San Francisco, California March 15, 2016 released at a price point that would encourage quick and widespread adoption. “We firmly believe getting the price right is crucial to driving consumer adoption of any new technology,” House

said. that include an Oculus Ready At $399,the package PC and a Rift for preorder in is notably less than the $599 February starting at $1,499. price announced Monday Price is one factor by Facebook-owned virtual but the amount of gaming reality company Oculus Rift. content available will be “a Oculus will also sell bundles strong factor in engaging

fans,” said Tony Key, Senior Vice President of sales and marketing at game developer Ubisoft. Ubisoft’s “Eagle Flight” and “Werewolves Within” titles are both set to launch for PlayStation VR this fall. “Ultimately the customers will decide on what price point works for them as their entry point into VR,” he said. The company said more than 230 developers are building content for the PlayStation VR device and 50 games are expected to be ready by the launch date. Users can download the Playroom VR at the PlayStation store and play six free games. The company has also teamed up with Development Company EA Sports and Lucasfilm for a Star Wars Battlefront game that will be released as a PlayStation VR exclusive.

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Apple fight could escalate with demand for ‘source code’ The latest filing in the legal war between the planet’s most powerful government and its most valuable company gave one indication of how the high-stakes confrontation could escalate even further. In what observers of the case called a carefully calibrated threat, the U.S. Justice Department last week suggested that it would be willing to demand that Apple turn over the “source code” that underlies its products as well as the so-called “signing key” that validates software as coming from Apple. Together, those two things would give the government the power to develop its own spying software and trick any iPhone into installing it. Eventually, anyone using an Apple device would be unable to tell whether they were using the real thing or a version that had been altered by officials to be used as a spy tool. Technology and security experts said that if the U.S. government was able to obtain Apple’s source code with a conventional court order, other governments would demand equal rights to do the same thing. “We think that would be pretty terrible,” said Joseph Lorenzo Hall, chief technologist at the nonprofit Center for Democracy & Technology. The battle between Apple and the U.S Justice Department has been raging since the government in February obtained a court order demanding that Apple write new

An Apple logo is seen at the entrance of an Apple Store in downtown Brussels, Belgium March 10, 2016. software to help law enforcement officials unlock an iPhone associated with one of the shooters in the December attack in San Bernardino, California that killed 14 people. Apple is fighting the order, arguing that complying with the request would weaken the security of all iPhones and create an open-ended precedent for judges to make demands of private companies. The Justice Department’s comments about source code and signing keys came in a footnote to a filing last week in which it rejected Apple’s arguments. Apple’s response to the DOJ brief is expected on Tuesday. Justice Department lawyers said in the brief that they had refrained from pursuing the iOS source code and signing key because they thought “such a request would be less palatable to Apple. If Apple would prefer that course, however, that may provide an alternative that requires less labor by Apple.”

The footnote evoked what some lawyers familiar with the case call a “nuclear option,” seeking the power to demand and use the most prized assets of lucrative technology companies. A person close to the government’s side told Reuters that the Justice Department does not intend to press the argument that it could seize the company’s code, and someone on Apple’s side said the company isn’t worried enough to counter the veiled threat in its brief due Tuesday. But many people expect the iPhone matter to reach the U.S. Supreme Court, and thus even fallback legal strategies are drawing close scrutiny. There is little clarity on whether a government demand for source code would succeed. Perhaps the closest parallel was in a case filed by federal prosecutors against Lavabit LLC, a privacy-oriented email service used by Edward Snowden. In trying to recover Snowden’s unencrypted mail from the company, which did not keep Snowden’s cryptographic key, the Justice Department got a court order forcing the company to turn over another key instead, one that would allow officials to impersonate the company’s website and intercept all interactions with its users. “Lavabit must provide any and all information necessary to decrypt the content, including, but not limited to public and private keys and

algorithms,” the lower court ruled. Lavabit shut down rather than comply. But company lawyer Jesse Binnall said the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld the lower ruling, did so on procedural grounds, so that the Justice Department’s win would not influence much elsewhere. In any case, full source code would be even more valuable than the traffic key in the Lavabit case, and the industry would go to extreme lengths to fight for it, Binnall said. “That really is the keys to the kingdom,” Binnall said. Source code is sometimes inspected during lawsuits over intellectual property, and the Justice Department noted that Apple won permission to review some of rival Samsung’s (005930.KS) code in one such case. In that case and similar battles, the code is produced with strict rules to prevent copying. No cases brought by the government have led to that sort of code production, or at least none that have come to light. But intelligence agencies operate under different rules and have wide latitude overseas. Some advanced espionage programs attributed to the United States used digital certificates that were stolen from Taiwanese companies, though not full programs. U.S. software code may have been sought in other cases, such as investigations relying on the Patriot Act or the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which applies within American borders. Several people who have argued before the special FISA court or are familiar with some of its cases say they know of no time that the government has sought source code.

Chipotle mulls more food giveaways as customers slowly return

A man types on a computer keyboard in Warsaw in this February 28, 2013 illustration file picture.

Cyber criminals snap up expired domains to serve malicious ads

Expired domain names are becoming the latest route for cyber criminals to find their way into the computers of unsuspecting users. Cyber criminals launched a malicious advertising campaign this week targeting visitors of popular news and entertainment websites after gaining ownership of an expired web domain of an advertising company. Users visiting the websites of the New York Times, Newsweek, BBC and AOL, among others, may have installed malware on their computers if they clicked on the malicious ads. Bresntsmedia.com, the website used by hackers to serve up malware, expired on Jan. 1 and was registered again on March 6 by a different buyer, security researchers at Trustwave SpiderLabs wrote in a blog. Buying the domain of a small

but legitimate ad company provided the criminals with high quality traffic from popular web sites that publish their ads directly, or as affiliates of other ad networks, the researchers said. New York Times spokesman Jordan Cohen said the company was investigating if the attack had any impact. “To be clear, this is impacting ads from third parties that are beyond our control.” Newsweek, BBC and AOL could not be immediately reached for comment. The researchers also found two more expired “media”-related domains - envangmedia.com and markets.shangjiamedia.com - used by the same cyber criminals. The people behind the campaign may be on keeping a watch for expired domains with the word “media” in them, they said.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc (CMG.N) could give away roughly 9 million burritos as it fights to win back customers following several food safety mishaps that have dented its sales. Executives speaking at an investment conference on Wednesday said the company has recovered about one-third of sales lost to a string of food safety lapses last year, and more free offers may be forthcoming as part of its turnaround strategy. The formerly high-flying burrito chain plans to send 21 million free food coupons via snail mail to U.S. consumers. Chipotle expects roughly a quarter of those coupons to be redeemed. Chipotle closed stores on Feb. 8 for an all-company food safety town hall meeting and invited diners to text the company to request a free burrito. Demand for the offer was more than double what the company expected, as 5.3 million requests were logged. Redemption rates on the text coupons have been 67 percent, executives said. Based on a burrito cost of $7.10, the average price of burritos offered at the chain in Los Angeles restaurants, the value of those two giveaways would total more than $62 million. The direct mail and text coupons offer free entrees, and while the company sells a variety of dishes, Reuters used its popular burritos for the calculations. “So free burritos, it turns out, works,” Chief Financial Officer Jack Hartung said at a Bank of America Merrill Lynch investor conference. “It brings people into the restaurant.” Costs related to Chipotle’s recovery efforts are running higher

Customers enter a Chipotle restaurant in Seattle, Washington November 20, 2015. than expected and prompted the chain on Tuesday to warn that it will post its first quarterly loss as a public company. Sales and visits remain down from a year ago, but have come off their worst levels in January. That said, paid transactions are still 30 percent lower, executives said. The Pacific Northwest and the Northeast, which were most affected by 2015’s food poisoning outbreaks, have been the slowest to recover. Free food offers often are most effective with already loyal customers. Chipotle’s “top loyal” customers dine at the chain at least 25 times a year and account for up to 20 percent of its sales. Future offers aimed at spurring visits will likely be delivered via mobile devices and could take the form of buyone-get-one-free, or BOGO, said Mark Crumpacker, Chipotle’s chief creative and development officer. “As we move into the summer and we do additional promotions, you probably will see BOGO creep back in,” Crumpacker said. Shares of Chipotle closed down 0.5 percent at $500.35.

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Major automakers to announce pact to install auto-braking systems by 2022 Major automakers will announce Thursday they have agreed to install automatic emergency braking systems in nearly all U.S. vehicles by September 2022, three sources briefed on the plans said. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced in September a deal in principle with 10 automakers to eventually add the technology to prevent thousands of crashes a year. The final agreement includes additional automakers and will be unveiled at a press conference in McLean, Va., at a press conference. The final agreement includes automakers representing more than 99 percent of U.S. light vehicle sales. Among those joining the deal are Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T), General Motors Co (GM.N), Ford Motor Co (F.N)., Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCHA.MI), Honda Motor Co (7267.T)

and Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE). Automatic emergency braking includes systems designed to prevent crashes in which drivers do not apply the brakes or fail to apply enough braking power to avoid a collision. Under the agreement, automakers will get slightly longer to add the technology to some vehicles with technical challenges, including some cars with manual transmissions. NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind told Reuters in an interview last week that a voluntary agreement that could get the safety technology in vehicles before a legally binding rule was preferable. “We’re very excited A logo of Toyota Motor Corp is pictured on a car about this,” Rosekind said, declining and the background at the company’s showroom in Tokyo, Japan, June 16, 2015. to confirm details. The Insurance Institute for by the technology. Highway Safety, a group that helped “Do the math. That’s 5 million reach the voluntary agreement with crashes every year -- 20 percent automakers, has said as many as 20 reduction means 1 million less. Those percent of crashes could be prevented are big numbers,” Rosekind said in

September. The National Transportation Safety Board and Consumer Reports have both called for making the technology mandatory in all vehicles. In 2012, rear-end crashes killed 1,705 Americans and injured 547,000 in the United States. About 87 percent of those deaths and injuries might have been prevented or lessened if vehicles had a collision avoidance system because they were linked to driver inattention, researchers found. Former NHTSA Administrator Joan Claybrook said the NHTSA should issue legally binding rules. She said the deal “was developed in secret with no public record of its factual basis, no legal requirement that companies comply and no penalties if a company lies about its compliance.” Rosekind has said it could take at least eight years to get legally binding rules in place.

Canon agrees to buy Toshiba’s medical equipment unit for $5.9 billion Canon Inc has agreed to buy Toshiba Corp’s medical equipment unit for 665.5 billion yen ($5.9 billion), the companies said on Thursday. Toshiba, which is selling the unit to help fund restructuring after a massive accounting scandal, said the deal would yield a profit of about 590 billion yen in the current fiscal year ending this month if it closes in time. The Japanese maker of cameras and office equipment last week won exclusive negotiating rights to buy Toshiba Medical Corp in a hotly contested auction. Canon, which makes X-ray machines and eye

examination devices, has been trying for years to expand into high-margin medical devices, particularly as demand for cameras has declined with the advent of smartphones. Toshiba Chief Executive Masashi Muromachi is trying to overhaul the laptops-to-nuclear conglomerate following last year’s revelations of overstated profits going back to around 2009. He has announced more than 10,000 job cuts and also plans to sell its loss-making laptops and home appliances businesses. Funds from the deal will help enable Toshiba to drop plans to seek about $1.8 billion in additional loans from

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp, Mizuho Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, sources familiar with the situation said on Tuesday. But in a sign of yet more difficulty for Toshiba to overcome the multi-billion dollar accounting scandal, Bloomberg News reported U.S. authorities were investigating it over accounting related to its Westinghouse nuclear power operations. The Justice Department and Securities Exchange Commission were looking into the possibility of fraud, the report said. Toshiba shares fell nearly 8 percent on Thursday after the report.

Nike fitness app, new products get more personal

Nike sports and active wear is displayed during a launch event in New York March 16, 2016. Nike, the world’s biggest sportswear firm, is launching a new version of its Nike+ running app that offers users preferential access to the hottest new sneakers, raising its game as competition heats up in the fitness tracking business. Nike made the announcement at a glitzy event in New York at which it also launched a series of new products including self-lacing shoes, transparent airfilled soles and soccer cleats made from a polymer that prevents mud

from sticking to the sole. Nike was a pioneer in fitness tracking, teaming up with Apple Inc on Nike+ running programs for the iPod and iPhone. Nike itself created the new version of the app, in a field that is now crowded, with rivals Adidas AG and Under Armour Inc both buying running apps last year. Nike Chief Executive Mark Parker said the new version of the app - set to be launched in the U.S. market in

June and later elsewhere - would offer a more tailored service, including personalized product recommendations and customized training tips. “Athletes want more than a dashboard and data – they want a more personal relationship,” he said. Nike+ users also will have exclusive access to new products such as HyperAdapt 1.0, a shoe with an in-sole motor that can tighten and loosen laces to respond to an athlete’s motion. Ahead of the Rio Olympics and the European soccer championships, Nike debuted sportswear made from lighter-weight and faster-drying fabric, while U.S. 200 meters gold medalist Allyson Felix modeled “AeroBlades,” tiny plastic points on socks and sleeves that are designed to reduce drag for runners.

The Avon Products headquarters is seen in midtown Manhattan area of New York, June 21, 2013.

Avon to cut jobs, shift headquarters to UK

Cosmetics maker Avon Products Inc (AVP.N) said on Monday it would cut about 2,500 jobs worldwide and shift its corporate headquarters to the UK as part of its three-year turnaround plan. Avon shares were up nearly 4 percent at $4.55 in extended trading. The company sold most of its North American business to Cerberus Capital, its biggest investor, after four years of falling sales. Avon said it expected to record $60 million in pre-tax charges related to job cuts in the first quarter. The company, which has 28,300 employees, said the transition of its headquarters would occur over time. In January, Avon had outlined plans to cut $350 million in costs over the next three years, invest in technology and tap social media to revive sales. However, a bigger-than-expected fall in fourth-quarter sales indicated that the company had failed to revive demand for its cosmetics in key markets. “We believe that there is still much more that needs to be done to improve the business as outlined in our December 3 letter,” shareholder Barington Capital said in a statement. In December, investors led by Barington proposed a restructuring of Avon, and said they had lost confidence in the makeup brand’s leadership. Barington added on Monday that it continued to believe Avon needed to add new independent directors. Avon said it would maintain its current facilities in Suffern and Rye, New York and continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under its current symbol.

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LOCAL SPORTS

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

SCOTIABANK Makes Donation To TCIFA Grassroots Program

Mr. Sean Brathwaite, Managing Director of Scotiabank attended at the TCIFA National Academy on Monday, March 7th to make a presentation to the Youth Development Programme. Ms Olivia Graveley, Coaching

Development Officer of the TCIFA, $2,000.00 expressed his happiness joined by the children and coaches at seeing first hand the talents of involved the TCIFA's Grassroots the children in training. He also Football Development Program reiterated Scotiabank's dedication was on hand to receive the donation. to supporting the program in the Mr. Brathwaite, who future. presented his company's donation of ScotiaBank are dedicated

supporters to our annual fundraisers and youth development programmes, and we're very appreciative for their ongoing support, says President Sonia Bien-Aime.

“The 2015 National Championship Air Races

“The 2015 National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada will be televised on Sunday, March 27th, 2016 at 4 pm Atlantic Time on NBC.

in excess of 400 mph on the straightaways of the 8 mile course flying just 50 feet above the ground competing against 8 other aircraft.

Local resident Gary Mead participates in this event each year piloting his highly modified Glasair III #47 race plane in the Sport Class which consist of homebuilt aircraft reaching speeds of

Participants and Spectators alike come to this event each year from all over the world. Mead has been racing in the National Championships since 2007 proudly representing Turks & Caicos Islands. In

the last three years, racing against 36 other aircraft, Mead had finishes in the top of the Gold Class of 4th in 2015 averaging 348.45 mph on the oval course , 2nd in 2014 and 6th in 2013.”

Check out the action and many other High Performance Aircraft that race each year in the highly anticipated once a year event. It is truly the fastest motorsport in the world.”

MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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WORLD

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

SPORTS

FIFA files for compensation in U.S. as victim of corruption

Global soccer body FIFA has applied to U.S. authorities for tens of millions of dollars in damages from ex-officials indicted there for graft and recognized for the first time executives had in the past “sold” votes in World Cup hosting contests. Gianni Infantino, recently elected president to clear out the worst corruption scandal in FIFA history, said the money had been meant for playing fields and kit, not officials’ mansions and cars and he would get it back “no matter how long it takes”. The Swiss-based body said it had filed a restitution request on Tuesday with federal prosecutors in New York. In the document and an accompanying letter, it demanded return of salaries and payment of compensation for damage to its brand, business interests and reputation. “The defendants...deeply tarnished the FIFA brand and impaired FIFA’s ability to use its resources for positive actions throughout the world,” the document said. The very future of FIFA has been put in question by the graft scandal, with some demanding its abolition. The move for recompense casts FIFA for the first time, under its new president, prominently as plaintiff

according to U.S. authorities. FIFA president Infantino said in a statement: “These dollars were meant to build football fields, not mansions and pools; to buy football kits, not jewelry and cars; and to fund youth player and coach development, not to underwrite lavish lifestyles for football and sports marketing executives.” FIFA is also asking U.S. officials for an audit of the assets of Jeffrey Webb, a former president of CONCACAF, which governs soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean. A FIFA sign is seen outside the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland December 17, 2015. FIFA lawyers wrote in a letter and victim. accepted a bribe to vote for Morocco in to U.S. prosecutors that Webb was The FIFA document listed the 1998 World Cup hosting race, won living an “extravagant lifestyle” that cases of alleged wrongdoing, including by France, the report said. included an expensive, casino-themed the race to host the 2010 World Cup, “It is now apparent that birthday party for his wife since his won by South Africa, already detailed multiple members of FIFA’s Executive release on bond. by U.S. authorities in December. Committee abused their positions and A lawyer for Webb declined It said former executive sold their votes on multiple occasions,” to comment on the party, subject of a committee members Jack Warner, who the report said. Cayman news report last month. Webb, has been banned for life but denies However, it did not mention who has pleaded guilty to offences wrongdoing, Chuck Blazer, who has the 2018 and 2022 World Cup linked to fraud, racketeering and pleaded guilty to racketeering, wire tournaments awarded to Russia and money laundering, is from the Cayman fraud and money laundering, along Qatar, a decision which has triggered Islands. with other individuals engineered a criminal investigation by Swiss In all, 42 sports officials, a $10 million payoff in exchange for authorities. executives and corporate entities executive committee votes. Ex-officials who have pleaded have been charged in the United Warner, fighting extradition guilty have already agreed to pay States under U.S. bribery and money from Trinidad and Tobago, had more than $190 million in forfeiture, laundering laws.

Top NFL official acknowledges link between football and brain disease A top NFL official acknowledged for the first time on Monday a link between football-related concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the degenerative brain condition caused by repeated blows to the head. The statement came from the National Football League’s senior vice president for health and safety, Jeff Miller, when he was asked during a hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee whether a link has been established between football and disorders such as CTE. “The answer to that

question is certainly yes,” Miller said in testimony recorded in a video clip posted by the television sports channel ESPN on its website. Miller’s comment marked the first time a senior league official has publicly conceded the sport’s connection to CTE, which medical research has closely linked with the repeated head injuries, often leading to aggression and dementia. An NFL spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Miller’s testimony. A high incidence of degenerative brain disease in former professional

American football players has led thousands of NFL alumni to press for and win a settlement that could cost the league $1 billion. The subject gained additional attention from the 2015 film “Concussion,” which starred Will Smith as a doctor who fought NFL efforts to conceal his research on brain damage suffered by players. Several dozen of the game’s top players, including Hall of Famers Frank Gifford and Junior Seau, were diagnosed with CTE when doctors analyzed their brains after death. Currently, CTE can only be reliably A representative holds a new impact absorbing helmet at the NFL Headquarters in New York December 3, 2015. determined after death.

MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

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WORLD SPORTS

U.S. sports leagues move to add Sharapova drug to banned list

Several major U.S. sports leagues are pushing to add the drug that led to a positive test for Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova to their banned list, but in many cases they will need player approval before they can hit that goal. Sharapova, who last week revealed she had tested positive for the banned drug meldonium at the Australian Open in January, is facing suspension of up to four years by the International Tennis Federation. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) added meldonium to its banned substance list on Jan. 1 after concluding it improves blood flow and boosts exercise capacity. Most North American sports groups do not automatically follow WADA’s list, and must in turn negotiate with unionized players to add any drugs to their respective banned lists. The PGA Tour, the organizer of the main professional golf tours in North America, told Reuters it plans to add meldonium to its banned list, while Major League Baseball (MLB) said it has raised the issue with its players. The National Basketball Association (NBA), National Football League (NFL) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) all said they plan to explore a possible ban. Only the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and Major League Soccer banned the drug when WADA did. The PGA Tour generally follows the WADA list with few exceptions, said Andy Levinson, vice president of anti-doping. Golf ’s banned list was last revised in October, prior to the start of

the 2015-2016 season. “Meldonium will be added in the 2016 revision,” he said. Athletes who test positive for a banned drug face fines and suspensions. Any players who might argue they need meldonium for medical reasons can still apply for what most sports call a therapeutic-use exemption, which allows athletes who have a doctor’s backing to take a banned substance with league approval. Some experts said athletes may have a hard time proving their medical need for a drug sold only in a few former Soviet countries and not approved for use in western Europe or the United States. Meldonium is marketed as Mildronate by the Latvian pharmaceutical firm Grindeks, which has said the drug could protect athletes from cell damage, but would be unlikely to improve their competitive performance. WADA said last week it had recorded 99 positive tests for the recently-banned drug and according to research in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, use of meldonium was widespread among elite athletes competing at the European Games in Baku last year. “The sheer prevalence of meldonium indicates that the athletes believe it has performance-enhancing benefits,” said Michael Pearlmutter, executive director of the Partnership for Clean Competition, an anti-doping organization started in 2008 with funding from the USOC, MLB and the NFL. Baseball said the drug is already banned in its minor leagues,

FIFA says executive committee members sold World Cup votes on ‘multiple occasions’ Soccer’s governing body FIFA said on Wednesday that members of its executive committee had in the past sold their votes in World Cup hosting contests, including for the tournament held in South Africa in 2010. “It is now apparent that multiple members of FIFA’s Executive Committee abused their positions and sold their

votes on multiple occasions,” it said in a legal document filed to a U.S. court. It said that former executive committee members Chuck Blazer, Jack Warner and other individuals engineered a $10 million payoff in exchange for executive committee votes regarding the hosting of the 2010 World Cup, eventually awarded to South Africa.

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where the sport does not have to negotiate with the players. At the major league level, the sport approached the union about adding meldonium to the banned list after WADA prohibited it but before Sharapova’s positive test became public news. “We are still in discussions with the MLBPA regarding any additions to the banned list in the Major Leagues for the 2016 season,” MLB spokesman Patrick Courtney said of the players’ union, Major League Baseball Players Association. The NBA has a prohibited substances committee that includes players’ union members and the league said it will be raising meldonium with the committee. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the sport’s officials

“periodically review the list of prohibited substances with our medical advisors and make modifications as appropriate. We anticipate it will be a topic of discussion this offseason.” NCAA spokesman Christopher Radford said the college sports group’s committee that oversees testing would review the drug’s classification at its next meeting in June. While the committee considers what WADA is doing, it does not automatically adopt the anti-doping group’s banned list, he said. National Hockey League spokesman Schuyler Baehman said the earliest meldonium could be added to the league’s banned list would be in advance of next season. He declined to say whether the sport would negotiate with the players to ban the drug.

Mildronate (Meldonium) medication is pictured in the pharmacy in Saulkrasti, Latvia, March 9, 2016.

Former UK Athletics coach handed lifetime ban Former UK Athletics coach George Skafidas has been handed a lifetime ban from sport for doping offences relating to sprinter Bernice Wilson, Britain’s anti-doping agency said on Wednesday. Wilson was banned for four years in 2011 after she tested positive for testosterone and clenbuterol. UKAD said in a statement that the Greek coach had admitted to nine rule violations, committed in 2011 and in January and February 2015 before Wilson’s return to the sport. Wilson tested positive for clomiphene in an out-of-competition test in February last year but her sanction was reduced to 10 months due to “the substantial assistance” she gave UKAD. The agency said Skafidas had concealed a Notice of Charge sent to Wilson by UKAD and

“knowingly provided a false account to UKAD during his interview in Greece on 10 June 2015.” A profile of Skafidas on the British Athletics Power of 10 website says the Greek was “credited from many in his country for the golden era of sports such as athletics, weightlifting, rhythmic gymnastics, football basketball, volleyball etc in 1990s–2000s.” Skafidas moved to England after the 2004 Athens Olympics. “Here is a coach who set-up and ran a training group for young and talented athletes; athletes like Bernice who had a bright and promising future in the sport,” said UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead. “He was put into a position of trust, he abused that trust and as a result categorically destroyed a career.”

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MARCH 19TH, 2016 – MARCH 26TH, 2016

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